Trump wants a full pardon for Netanyahu

As Benjamin Netanyahu faces charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust in three separate corruption cases, Donald Trump has stepped in to try to influence the process by urging Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, to pardon him.

A long-running corruption trial

Trump, describing Netanyahu as a «war Time Prime Minister», wrote that «I believe that the ‘case' against Bibi, who has fought alongside me for a long time, including against the very tough adversary of Israel, Iran, is a political, unjustified prosecution».

Netanyahu's long-running corruption trial, which has been ongoing since 2020, centers on charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust.

«It is my honor to write to you at this historic time, as we have, together, just secured peace that has been sought for at least 3,000 years.»

His trial has been repeatedly broken up and delayed over the years, first by Covid-related disruptions and then by political turmoil, the war, repeated motions and scheduling issues linked to the prime minister's calendar, with most of the postponement requests coming from Netanyahu himself.

«Isaac, we have established a great relationship, one that I am very thankful for and honored.»

War Time Prime Minister

Trump opened his letter by praising the moment as historic, writing: «It is my honor to write to you at this historic time, as we have, together, just secured peace that has been sought for at least 3,000 years.»

In a letter distributed by the Israeli president's spokesperson, Trump declared that «I hereby call on you to fully pardon Benjamin Netanyahu», describing him as someone «who has been a formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister» and asserting that he «is now leading Israel into a time of peace.»

Appealing to their personal rapport, Trump wrote: «Isaac, we have established a great relationship, one that I am very thankful for and honored by, and we agreed as soon as I was inaugurated in January that the focus had to be centered on finally bringing the hostages home and getting the peace agreement done.»

Concluding his appeal, Trump wrote that «Now that we have achieved these unprecedented successes, and are keeping Hamas in check, it is time to let Bibi unite Israel by pardoning him, and ending that lawfare once and for all», presenting the pardon as both a reward for Israel's recent victories and a step toward national unity.

Swift reactions across Israel

During his last visit to Israel, Donald Trump reportedly asked the Israeli president «why don't you give him a pardon?».

He has now formalized that wish in a letter requesting a pardon for Netanyahu, a move that, according to CNN, drew swift reactions across Israel's political sphere: National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir backed the idea on X, calling the indictment «disgraceful» and urging Herzog to «listen to President Trump», while Opposition Leader Yair Lapid countered with a legal reminder: «A reminder: Israeli law clearly stipulates that the first condition for a presidential pardon is admitting guilt and expressing remorse.»