Trump urges Israeli President to pardon Netanyahu, calling trial 'political and unjustified'

Trump backs Netanyahu’s political pardon

Israeli President Isaac Herzog received a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to consider granting a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the president's office said on Wednesday (November 12).

"While I absolutely respect the independence of the Israeli Justice System, and its requirements, I believe that this 'case' against Bibi, who has fought alongside me for a long time, including against the very tough adversary of Israel, Iran, is a political, unjustified prosecution," the letter says.

The letter received comes after the U.S. President's speech at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, in October where he told the Israeli President to pardon Netanyahu.

Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 in three cases, one of which includes receiving almost 700,000 shekels ($210,000) in gifts from businessmen, including champagne and cigars.

Israel's President holds a largely ceremonial role but he does have authority to pardon convicted criminal if there are unusual circumstances presented.

However, there has been no ruling in Netanyahu's long-running trial which began in 2020 and has been interrupted frequently during two years of war and Middle East upheaval. He has pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing.

(With inputs from Reuters)