Israeli President Isaac Herzog has emphasized his commitment to due process in reviewing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pardon request, responding to Donald Trump’s public criticism that characterized his approach as disgraceful and worthy of public shame.
In a comprehensive statement issued Thursday, Herzog’s office detailed the ongoing legal review, explaining that the Ministry of Justice is currently preparing a formal legal opinion on the pardon application following established protocols. The statement clarified that contrary to impressions created by Trump’s remarks, Herzog has not made any decision and will do so only after the legal review is complete, based strictly on Israeli law.
The diplomatic controversy intensified when Trump, speaking at a White House press conference during Netanyahu’s Washington visit, publicly attacked Herzog’s handling of the pardon request. The former American president told reporters that Herzog “should be ashamed of himself” for not immediately granting the pardon and encouraged Israeli citizens to pressure their president. The comments represented an extraordinary intervention in another country’s domestic legal matters.
Netanyahu faces serious corruption allegations across three active criminal cases. Two prosecutions center on claims that Netanyahu negotiated quid pro quo arrangements with major Israeli media outlets, trading government regulatory decisions for favorable news coverage. The third case involves accusations that he accepted more than $260,000 in luxury items from billionaire associates, including expensive cigars, premium champagne, and jewelry, allegedly in exchange for political favors.
As the first incumbent Israeli prime minister to stand trial on corruption charges, Netanyahu has become a central figure in debates about political accountability in Israel. The proceedings, which began in 2019, have been consistently characterized by Netanyahu as politically motivated attacks on his leadership. Despite maintaining his innocence throughout all cases, Netanyahu faces three ongoing prosecutions after a fourth charge was previously dismissed. The current pardon controversy emerged following Trump’s October address to the Knesset, where he publicly urged Herzog to grant clemency, prompting Netanyahu’s legal team to formally submit their petition.