President Isaac Herzog of Israel has held his position on following proper legal procedures for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pardon request, responding Thursday to Donald Trump’s characterization of his approach as shameful and disgraceful.
The statement from Herzog’s office outlined the proper constitutional review being conducted, noting that the Ministry of Justice is preparing a thorough legal opinion on the pardon application following established governmental protocols. Herzog’s team emphasized that no decision has been made and clarified that any determination will be based strictly on legal considerations and Israeli law, without being influenced by external political pressure or internal partisan dynamics.
Trump’s sharp criticism emerged during a White House press conference conducted while Netanyahu was in Washington for diplomatic talks. The former U.S. president used harsh personal language to attack Herzog’s handling of the pardon request, stating that Herzog “should be ashamed of himself” for not immediately granting clemency and suggesting that Israeli citizens should pressure their president. The remarks marked a notable departure from conventional diplomatic practices.
The corruption allegations against Netanyahu encompass three active criminal prosecutions involving serious charges. Two cases focus on accusations that he orchestrated deals with Israeli media organizations, allegedly leveraging governmental regulatory authority to secure favorable news coverage in exchange for policy decisions. The third case involves claims that he accepted luxury items valued at over $260,000 from billionaire supporters, including expensive cigars, champagne, and jewelry, allegedly in return for political favors.
Netanyahu’s trials have created an unprecedented situation as Israel’s first sitting prime minister to face criminal prosecution. Since proceedings began in 2019, Netanyahu has vigorously maintained his innocence, consistently describing the cases as a politically motivated “political trial” orchestrated by opponents. Although one of four original charges was dismissed, three substantial cases remain active in the judicial system. The pardon controversy began when Trump publicly called for Herzog to grant clemency during an October speech to the Israeli parliament, which prompted Netanyahu’s legal team to submit a formal pardon petition to the presidential office.