Israeli President Isaac Herzog has firmly rejected pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to grant a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing that the decision will be based solely on Israeli law and not external influence. Herzog’s response came after Trump publicly criticized him for not intervening in Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial, calling him ‘disgraceful’ for not granting a pardon.

Legal Process Remains Central to Herzog’s Decision

Herzog’s written statement, released from a plane en route to Israel after a four-day visit to Australia, said that Netanyahu’s request for a pardon is currently under review by the Justice Ministry. The statement noted that Herzog will only consider the request after receiving a legal opinion from the ministry.

‘Only after the process is concluded will the president examine the request in accordance with the law, the good of the state, and his conscience — and without any influence from external or internal pressures of any kind,’ the statement said. Herzog added that he ‘appreciates President Trump for his significant contribution to the State of Israel and its security.’

During the flight, Herzog was asked by a reporter about his personal reaction to Trump’s comments. He responded, ‘To the best of my recollection, I am the president of Israel.’ His remarks underscored the principle of Israeli sovereignty and the separation of powers within the country’s political structure.

Trump’s Criticism and Call for Public Pressure

President Trump’s comments came during a press briefing at the White House, where he expressed frustration with Herzog’s stance. ‘You have a president who refused to give him a pardon,’ Trump said. ‘He should be ashamed of himself,’ he added, suggesting that Herzog was deliberately withholding his presidential authority.

Trump also urged Israelis to apply pressure on Herzog, saying, ‘I think the people of Israel should really shame him. He’s disgraceful for not giving it.’ This public push for a pardon has intensified the political debate in Israel, where Netanyahu’s trial has been a subject of significant public attention.

Trump has raised the issue of a potential pardon on multiple occasions, including during a December meeting with Netanyahu, when he publicly questioned why a pardon had not been issued. He later claimed Herzog had indicated one was imminent, though Herzog later denied that account.

Netanyahu’s Legal Defense and Trump’s War-Time Praise

Netanyahu has consistently denied wrongdoing in the trial, which centers on allegations of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust. His legal team has argued that the charges are politically motivated and not grounded in solid evidence.

Separately, Trump was questioned about Netanyahu’s role in the security failures that preceded the Hamas attack on October 7. Trump said responsibility could not be placed on a single individual, stating, ‘I guess everybody’s responsible,’ and describing the attack as a ‘sneak attack’ that ‘nobody else would have seen coming.’

Despite the controversy, Trump has repeatedly praised Netanyahu’s leadership during the war, calling him ‘a very good wartime prime minister.’ He has argued that continuing the prosecution of Netanyahu is inappropriate while Israel remains at war, suggesting that the legal process should be paused or delayed.

Herzog’s firm stance on the matter has been seen as a reaffirmation of Israel’s legal independence, particularly in light of Trump’s public pressure. The president’s office has stressed that Israel is a sovereign state governed by the rule of law, and that Herzog will make his decision based on legal, ethical, and national considerations.

Analysts note that Herzog’s position is not only a legal but also a political statement, as it reinforces the separation of powers between the executive and judicial branches in Israel. The decision on whether to grant a pardon will likely have significant implications for Israel’s political landscape, public trust in the presidency, and the ongoing legal proceedings against Netanyahu.

As the legal process moves forward, the Justice Ministry is expected to provide a detailed legal opinion on the pardon request by the end of the month. Herzog is scheduled to make a public statement on the matter after reviewing the ministry’s report.