Israeli President Isaac Herzog has reaffirmed his commitment to a thorough legal review process for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pardon request, directly responding to Donald Trump’s harsh characterization of his approach as disgraceful and deserving of public condemnation.
In a statement released Thursday, Herzog’s office clarified the current status of Netanyahu’s pardon application, explaining that it is undergoing legal review at the Ministry of Justice where officials are preparing a comprehensive legal opinion. The statement stressed that Herzog has not made any decision on the matter and explicitly rejected the impression created by Trump’s recent remarks that the president was improperly delaying or refusing the request.
Trump’s criticism came during a White House press conference held while Netanyahu was in Washington for bilateral discussions. The former American president used unusually strong language, suggesting that Herzog should face public shame from Israeli citizens for his handling of the pardon request. Trump’s intervention represented a significant escalation in what has become an international political controversy involving two close allies.
The criminal allegations against Netanyahu span multiple cases involving different forms of alleged corruption. Two cases focus on accusations that Netanyahu arranged deals with Israeli media organizations, using his governmental authority to secure favorable news coverage in exchange for regulatory benefits. The most serious charges involve claims that Netanyahu accepted more than $260,000 in luxury goods—including premium cigars, expensive champagne, and jewelry—from billionaire associates who allegedly received political favors from his government.
Netanyahu’s trials have created an unprecedented situation in Israeli political history, as he is the first incumbent prime minister to face criminal prosecution. Since the proceedings began in 2019, Netanyahu has vigorously maintained his innocence, consistently describing the cases as politically motivated attacks on his leadership. Although prosecutors initially brought four separate charges, one has been dismissed, leaving three active cases in the courts. The pardon controversy emerged following Trump’s October speech to Israel’s parliament, where he publicly called on Herzog to grant clemency, prompting Netanyahu’s legal team to formally submit a pardon petition.