Trump Urges Israeli Leader to Pardon Netanyahu

In an unexpected moment during his speech to the Knesset, former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly called on Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of bribery and corruption.

“Why don’t you give him a pardon? Give him a pardon,” Trump suggested, receiving standing applause from the audience. He also expressed personal admiration, stating, “I like this gentleman right here.”

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, faces multiple charges from three separate cases, including allegations of accepting lavish gifts like cigars and champagne from wealthy elites, and offering favorable coverage to media and telecom companies in exchange for positive reports about himself.

The prosecution rested their case last year, and the lengthy trial process has included testimony from over 140 witnesses, including former allies, alongside texts and recordings as evidence. Netanyahu was scheduled to testify but has delayed doing so due to scheduling conflicts. He strongly denies the charges.

Trump’s popularity remains high among many Israelis, although Netanyahu’s approval ratings are lower. Recently, during a speech in Tel Aviv, US envoy Steve Witkoff faced boos when mentioning Netanyahu but received cheers when referencing Trump.

Despite their public camaraderie, Trump and Netanyahu’s relationship has had its disagreements. Trump previously pressed Netanyahu to apologize to Qatar and grew frustrated when Netanyahu declined to support Trump’s peace plan aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Trump described Netanyahu as “not easy to deal with,” but also noted, “That’s what makes him great.” Throughout the 2024 campaign, Trump has criticized Netanyahu over various issues, including the Israeli leader’s decisions related to regional conflicts and political strategies.