President Isaac Herzog of Israel has rejected pressure for a rushed decision on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pardon request, clarifying Thursday that the matter remains under proper legal review despite Donald Trump’s criticism that his approach was disgraceful.
The statement from Herzog’s office outlined the standard review process currently underway, explaining that the Ministry of Justice is preparing a comprehensive legal opinion on the pardon application according to established procedures. Herzog’s team emphasized that no decision has been made and that any future determination would be based strictly on legal considerations, free from external or internal political influence.
Trump’s sharp criticism emerged during a press conference at the White House, conducted while Netanyahu was in Washington for bilateral discussions. The former U.S. president told reporters that Herzog “should be ashamed of himself” for not immediately granting the pardon and encouraged Israeli citizens to publicly shame their president. The comments marked a significant departure from conventional diplomatic protocol.
Netanyahu faces substantial corruption allegations across three active criminal cases. Prosecutors claim that in two instances, Netanyahu orchestrated quid pro quo arrangements with major Israeli media outlets, using his governmental authority to secure favorable coverage in exchange for regulatory benefits. The third case involves allegations that he accepted luxury gifts valued at more than $260,000 from billionaire supporters, including expensive cigars, premium champagne, and jewelry, allegedly in return for political favors.
As the first sitting Israeli prime minister to stand trial on corruption charges, Netanyahu occupies an unprecedented position in the nation’s political history. 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 attorneys to formally submit their petition to the presidential office.