‘Who cares?’: Trump urges Israel’s President to pardon Netanyahu over ‘cigars and champagne’

Trump calls for pardon to Netanyahu in 'cigars and champagne' corruption case

US President Donald Trump on Monday urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently facing three corruption trials, during his address to the Knesset.

Speaking before the Israeli parliament, Trump appeared to downplay the charges, quipping, “Cigars and champagne, who the hell cares about that?” He praised Netanyahu as one of Israel’s greatest wartime leaders and added with a grin, “Hey, I have an idea, Mr President — why don’t you give him a pardon?”

Trump then clarified that the remark was unscripted, saying, “By the way, that was not in the speech, as you probably know. But I happen to like this gentleman right over here, and it just seems to make so much sense, you know.”

What are the charges against Netanyahu? 

Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, are accused of accepting luxury items worth more than $260,000, including cigars, jewelry, and champagne, from wealthy businessmen in exchange for political favors, allegations the Israeli leader has repeatedly denied, calling them politically motivated.

Apart from the “gifts affair,” Netanyahu faces two additional cases involving alleged attempts to secure positive media coverage in exchange for regulatory benefits. His trial, which has faced multiple delays due to the pandemic and the ongoing Gaza conflict, marks the first time a sitting Israeli prime minister has stood trial.

During his address, Trump refrained from commenting on the International Criminal Court’s warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza. However, the United States has previously criticised the ICC’s move and imposed sanctions on some of its staff.

Earlier this year, Trump compared Netanyahu’s legal troubles to his own, calling the cases a “political witch hunt” in a post on Truth Social.