Israeli President Isaac Herzog is maintaining his methodical approach to reviewing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pardon request despite facing unprecedented public criticism from Donald Trump, who called the Israeli leader’s handling of the matter shameful and disgraceful during remarks at the White House.
Herzog’s office released a comprehensive statement Thursday clarifying that the pardon application is currently undergoing standard legal review procedures at the Ministry of Justice. Officials emphasized that the president will make his determination only after receiving a complete legal opinion and will base his decision exclusively on Israeli law, free from any external interference or political pressure.
The diplomatic row escalated when Trump, speaking to reporters while Netanyahu was visiting Washington for official meetings, launched a personal attack on Herzog’s character. Trump suggested that the Israeli president deserved public condemnation and urged Israeli citizens to express their disapproval of Herzog’s failure to immediately grant the pardon that Trump himself had requested during an October address to Israel’s parliament.
Netanyahu’s legal jeopardy stems from three ongoing corruption prosecutions that have captivated Israeli public attention for years. The cases allege a pattern of behavior in which Netanyahu allegedly leveraged his governmental authority to secure positive media coverage and accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in luxury goods from wealthy individuals who received favorable treatment from his administration. These charges represent some of the most serious allegations ever leveled against an Israeli prime minister.
The historical significance of Netanyahu’s situation cannot be overstated—he is the first sitting Israeli prime minister ever to stand trial on criminal charges. Since the proceedings began in 2019, Netanyahu has vigorously defended himself, characterizing the prosecution as politically motivated persecution rather than legitimate law enforcement. Although one charge was previously dropped, three substantial cases continue through the judicial system. The current pardon controversy began when Trump publicly urged Herzog to grant clemency during his parliamentary speech, which prompted Netanyahu’s legal team to formally submit their petition.