President Isaac Herzog of Israel has provided a comprehensive explanation of the legal review process surrounding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pardon request, responding to Donald Trump’s characterization of his handling as disgraceful and shameful.
Herzog’s office released a statement Thursday detailing the current stage of the review, emphasizing that the Ministry of Justice is preparing a formal legal opinion on the pardon application following established protocols. The statement clarified that Herzog has not made any decision on the matter and will do so only after the legal review is complete, based strictly on Israeli law and without regard to external political pressure.
The diplomatic tension escalated when Trump, during a White House press conference held while Netanyahu was visiting Washington, publicly attacked Herzog’s approach to the pardon request. Trump 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 a significant escalation in what has become an international political controversy.
The corruption charges against Netanyahu encompass allegations of systematic misconduct across three active cases. Two prosecutions involve claims that Netanyahu leveraged his position to negotiate favorable media coverage from Israeli news outlets in exchange for regulatory decisions. The third case centers on accusations that he accepted luxury gifts worth over $260,000 from billionaire associates, including expensive cigars, premium champagne, and jewelry, allegedly in return for political favors.
Netanyahu’s legal predicament has created an unprecedented situation in Israeli politics, as he is the first sitting prime minister to stand trial on corruption charges. The proceedings, which commenced in 2019, have been characterized by Netanyahu as a “political trial” designed to undermine his authority. Throughout the process, Netanyahu has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing. While one of four original charges was dismissed, three serious cases remain active. The pardon controversy emerged following Trump’s October address to the Israeli parliament, where he publicly called for Herzog to grant clemency, leading to the formal submission of a pardon petition by Netanyahu’s legal team.
Israeli President Herzog Explains Legal Process After Trump Calls Him “Disgraceful” on Netanyahu
