President Isaac Herzog of Israel has firmly stated that no decision has been made regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pardon application, directly contradicting impressions created by recent remarks from Donald Trump. The Israeli president’s office issued a detailed statement Thursday clarifying the status of the high-profile request.
According to Herzog’s official statement, the pardon petition remains under active legal review at the Ministry of Justice, where experts are preparing a comprehensive legal opinion following standard procedures. Herzog emphasized his commitment to making any final determination based solely on legal considerations and the requirements of Israeli law, explicitly rejecting the notion that external political pressure would influence his judgment.
Trump’s intervention came during a press conference at the White House while Netanyahu was in Washington for diplomatic discussions. The former U.S. president launched a personal attack on Herzog, suggesting he deserved public condemnation from Israeli citizens for failing to immediately approve the pardon request. Trump’s unusually harsh language marked a significant escalation in what has become an international political controversy.
The legal challenges facing Netanyahu are substantial and multifaceted. In two separate cases, prosecutors allege that the prime minister orchestrated quid pro quo arrangements with major Israeli media organizations, trading regulatory decisions for positive news coverage. The most serious charges involve accusations of bribery, with evidence suggesting Netanyahu received luxury items valued at more than $260,000 from wealthy benefactors who sought favorable government treatment.
Netanyahu has emerged as a historic figure in Israeli politics, though not in the way he might have hoped. As the nation’s first serving prime minister to face criminal prosecution, he has spent years defending himself against what he calls politically motivated charges. The trials, which commenced in 2019, have become a defining feature of Israeli political discourse. Trump’s October speech to the Knesset initiated the pardon campaign, after which Netanyahu’s attorneys formally petitioned Herzog for clemency.