Israeli President Herzog Maintains Pardon Review Independence Despite Trump’s Accusations

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has maintained his independence in reviewing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pardon request, clarifying Thursday that the matter remains under proper legal review despite Donald Trump’s accusations that his handling was disgraceful.
The statement from Herzog’s office outlined the current stage of the review process, emphasizing that the Ministry of Justice is preparing a comprehensive legal opinion on the pardon application according to established procedures. Herzog’s team stressed that no decision has been made and that any future determination would be based exclusively on legal considerations and Israeli law, free from political influence.
Trump’s criticism emerged during a White House press conference conducted while Netanyahu was in Washington for bilateral discussions. The former American president used unusually strong language, telling reporters that Herzog “should be ashamed of himself” for not approving the pardon and encouraging Israeli citizens to publicly shame their president. The comments marked a rare instance of direct American intervention in Israel’s internal legal processes.
Netanyahu’s legal jeopardy stems from three ongoing corruption prosecutions involving different alleged schemes. In two cases, prosecutors claim Netanyahu orchestrated arrangements with Israeli media companies, using his governmental position to secure favorable coverage in exchange for regulatory decisions. The most serious charges involve allegations that he accepted more than $260,000 in luxury goods from billionaire supporters, including expensive cigars, champagne, and jewelry, allegedly in return for political favors.
As Israel’s first sitting prime minister to stand trial on criminal charges, Netanyahu has become a deeply polarizing figure in the nation’s political landscape. The proceedings, which began in 2019, have been characterized by Netanyahu as politically motivated persecution rather than legitimate law enforcement. Despite maintaining his innocence throughout all cases, Netanyahu faces three active prosecutions after a fourth charge was previously dismissed. The pardon controversy began when Trump publicly called for Herzog to grant clemency during his October speech to the Knesset, prompting Netanyahu’s attorneys to formally submit their petition to the presidential office.