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By Adeola Adeosun and Gabe Whisnant
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Israeli President Isaac Herzog's office has contradicted remarks made by President Donald Trump regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's pardon request.
During a Monday meeting in Florida, Trump claimed Herzog told him a pardon was "on its way" for the embattled prime minister, according to Reuters. Herzog's office quickly pushed back, stating the Israeli president has not spoken with Trump since the pardon request was submitted in November.
Why It Matters
Trump's public advocacy for Netanyahu's pardon, including a formal letter sent in early November calling the case "political, unjustified prosecution" and a speech to Israel's parliament urging clemency, has raised questions about undue pressure on Israel's legal system. Any pardon would set a historic precedent, as no sitting prime minister has previously been charged with crimes or pardoned mid-trial.
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The controversy comes during a critical period for Middle East diplomacy, with senior American officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, making high-profile visits that Israeli media dubbed "Bibi-sitting" to ensure Israel maintains the fragile Gaza ceasefire.
What To Know
Netanyahu submitted his pardon request on November 30, becoming Israel's first sitting prime minister to face criminal charges. He is charged with fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes in three separate cases, accusing him of exchanging favors with wealthy supporters, including a telecom company, a Hollywood producer, and a newspaper publisher. The Justice Ministry announced the indictments in 2019, and the trial began in May 2020.
According to Israeli law, the president holds the authority to pardon convicts, but pardons typically occur only after all legal proceedings have concluded. The president's office called Netanyahu's request "extraordinary," with "significant implications" for Israel's justice system and the prime minister's hold on power. Legal experts note that pardons usually require an admission of guilt and expression of remorse, making a pre-conviction pardon highly unusual and potentially illegal.
Herzog's office clarified that the president spoke with a Trump representative when the pardon was submitted, explaining that any decision would follow established legal procedures. The office emphasized that no subsequent conversations with Trump have occurred regarding the matter, contradicting the U.S. president's Monday claim.
Netanyahu's pardon argument centers on claims that frequent court appearances impair his ability to govern effectively and that clemency would help "lower the flames and promote the broad reconciliation that our country so desperately needs." He cited Trump's support in his statement, portraying himself as the victim of a "deep state" conspiracy. The request came after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire began in Gaza, as Netanyahu's government worked to advance Trump's regional peace plan.
The pardon request has drawn fierce criticism from opponents who argue it could weaken democratic institutions and send a dangerous message that some people are above the law.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump said on Monday: "He's a wartime prime minister who's a hero. How do you not give a pardon? I spoke to the president … he tells me it's on its way."
**In the November open letter to President Isaac Herzog, Trump wrote: "**As the Great State of Israel and the amazing Jewish People move past the terribly difficult times of the last three years, I hereby call on you to fully pardon Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been a formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister, and is now leading Israel into a time of peace."
In a statement in early December reported by Israeli media, and originally in Hebrew, Herzog said that on the issue of pardoning Netanyahu: "It is clear to me that it shakes many people in the country, across various communities, and it sparks debate."
He added: "But I have already clarified and said that it will be handled in the most proper and precise manner. I will consider only the good of the state and Israeli society, with only the State of Israel and its well-being before my eyes," Herzog said.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote on X in November that the pardon could have unintended consequences for Netanyahu: “Reminder: Israeli law stipulates that the first condition for receiving a pardon is an admission of guilt and an expression of remorse for those actions."
Yohanan Plesner, president of The Israel Democracy Institute told the Associated Press in November: "There is no assumption of responsibility whatsoever, and this might project a problematic message to all public figures and to what our public norms might look like."
Amir Fuchs, senior researcher at Israel Democracy Institute, told AP in November: "Pardon is a word for forgiveness, a pardon without some kind of admission of guilt is very unusual and even illegal. The message will be undermining of rule of law."
What Happens Next?
The pardon request will be sent to the Justice Ministry for opinions before being transferred to the legal adviser in the Office of the President, who will formulate additional opinions.
Herzog must decide whether to grant an unprecedented mid-trial pardon while balancing legal precedent, public opinion and international pressure.
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Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
Update 12/29/25, 6:20 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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