A surprising letter arrived in Jerusalem this week, penned by former U.S. President Donald Trump, directly appealing to Israel’s president to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The request injects a new level of controversy into a deeply divisive corruption trial that has gripped the nation for years.
This isn’t a sudden impulse. Trump previously voiced his support for a pardon during a speech to the Israeli parliament, a moment that sparked immediate reaction and questions about the extent of American influence in Israeli internal affairs. The earlier call came during a visit focused on a proposed ceasefire for the conflict in Gaza, but the pardon request overshadowed the peace initiative.
The letter itself frames the case against Netanyahu as a “political, unjustified prosecution.” Trump lauded Netanyahu’s leadership during wartime and expressed hope for a peaceful future, directly linking a pardon to Israel’s progress. He described Netanyahu as a “formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister.”
Netanyahu stands as the first sitting Israeli prime minister to face trial, accused of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes. The charges stem from allegations of exchanging favors with wealthy supporters, a pattern of behavior he vehemently denies. He has consistently labeled the proceedings a “witch hunt,” echoing language familiar to Trump’s own supporters.
The trial has been repeatedly delayed, complicated by the ongoing conflicts and unrest following the October 2023 attacks by Hamas. Despite the turmoil, Netanyahu has taken the stand multiple times, maintaining his innocence throughout the proceedings.
While Israel’s presidency is largely ceremonial, the president possesses the power to grant pardons. President Isaac Herzog acknowledged receiving Trump’s letter, but emphasized that any pardon requires a formal request from Netanyahu himself, initiating a complex legal process.
Herzog has publicly stated his desire for a resolution to the trial, believing it to be a source of national division. He has suggested a settlement between Netanyahu and the prosecution as the preferred outcome, but remains noncommittal on how he would rule on a pardon request.
Trump’s earlier call for a pardon was met with enthusiastic applause from Netanyahu’s allies in parliament, but also fueled concerns about undue American pressure on Israeli policy, particularly regarding the fragile ceasefire in Gaza. Recent visits from high-ranking U.S. officials intensified these concerns, with some Israeli media outlets dubbing the visits “Bibi-sitting,” implying oversight of Netanyahu’s actions.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid pointed out a critical legal hurdle: Israeli law requires an admission of guilt and remorse as a prerequisite for a pardon. This presents a significant challenge for Netanyahu, who has consistently proclaimed his innocence.
Legal experts, like Amir Fuchs of the Israel Democracy Institute, emphasize that pardons are typically reserved for those convicted of crimes. A pardon issued without an admission of guilt would be highly unusual, and potentially illegal, setting a dangerous precedent.
Fuchs warns that granting a pardon under these circumstances could be interpreted as a “green light” to corruption, undermining the rule of law and eroding public trust in the justice system. The message sent would be one of impunity, rather than accountability.
This isn’t the first time Trump has publicly condemned Netanyahu’s trial. In June, he again used the term “WITCH HUNT” to describe the proceedings, mirroring the language Netanyahu himself employs to dismiss the charges. Both leaders portray themselves as victims of biased media and politically motivated attacks.
