Former U.S. President Donald Trump has taken an unexpected step by writing a letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, urging him to pardon Benjamin Netanyahu from longstanding corruption charges. In his correspondence, Trump characterized Netanyahu as a “formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister,” asserting that he is currently steering Israel towards peace after enduring “terribly difficult times over the last three years.” This planned move would represent the most dramatic electoral intervention in Israeli politics by a former American leader.
In the letter, Trump doubled down on his long-term attack on the corruption charges that have rocked Netanyahu. He’s already called the trial a “witch-hunt” on social media. And this was his big point — Israel’s judicial system is wholly independent — but the case against Netanyahu, he contended, is the result of a “political, unjustified prosecution.” Trump’s remarks come as he’s dealing with his own courtroom calamity. Since December, he has been spending upwards of ten hours a week establishing proof for his trial, persistent since 2020.
Responses from Israeli Leaders
President Herzog, in his reply to Trump’s letter, expressed his gratitude to the former president, and stated that he looks up to him as a role model. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir weighed in, advocating for a pardon for Netanyahu, asserting that “a pardon in this case is the right and urgent thing to do.” Some Israeli leaders are starting to make the case for clemency for Netanyahu. In 2019, prosecutors indicted him on bribery, fraud, and breach of trust charges, which he still denies, to no avail.
Not all leaders share this view. Opposition Leader Yair Lapis countered Trump’s proposal by reminding the public that “Israeli law stipulates that the first condition for receiving a pardon is an admission of guilt and an expression of remorse for the actions.” This legal stipulation leaves uncertain the practical possibility of a pardon in a case like this one.
Trump’s Perspective on Netanyahu’s Treatment
Actually, earlier this week Trump told CBS that he didn’t like the way Netanyahu was being treated given his own legal troubles. He further explained these problems on our panel discussion. I don’t think that they’re very good to him. He’s adamant that Netanyahu should be cut more slack in the current judicial process. Trump further urged Herzog to consider granting Netanyahu a pardon, suggesting, “Hey, I have an idea, Mr. president. Why don’t you give him a pardon?”
In light of recent geopolitical developments, Trump concluded his letter by stating, “Now that we have achieved these unprecedented successes, and are keeping Hamas in check, it is time to let Bibi unite Israel by pardoning him, and ending that lawfare once and for all.” His remarks express, one hopes, the acknowledgment that we need political stability in Israel more than ever during this extraordinarily tumultuous period.
