President Trump is urging Israeli leadership to grant an immediate pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been embroiled in a long-standing corruption trial, arguing that Netanyahu should be free to concentrate on the conflict with Iran.
Trump criticized Israeli President Isaac Herzog, labeling him a “disgrace” for not heeding his earlier requests to absolve Netanyahu, whose legal battle has persisted since 2020.
“Every day, I discuss the war with Bibi. I want his focus to be solely on the conflict, not distracted by court proceedings,” Trump expressed to Axios.
He emphasized, “The only stress Bibi should face should be related to the fight against Iran.”
According to Trump, Herzog had allegedly assured him five times in the past year that Netanyahu would receive a pardon, with Trump now insisting that it be enacted “immediately.”
In response, Herzog’s office released a statement indicating that they were not addressing the issue of Netanyahu’s pardon during the ongoing wartime situation.
“After the process is completed, the president will examine the request according to the law, the good of the country, and according to his conscience, without any influence from external or internal pressures of any kind,” his office said.
“Israel is a sovereign state governed by the rule of law.”
Trump has been calling for Netanyahu’s pardon since June 2025, with the president likening the premier’s trial to a “witch hunt,” a term he’s used before for his own legal woes.
Netanyahu is on trial over three corruption cases, including allegations that he and his wife, Sara, received bribes in the form of expensive gifts from Hollywood media mogul Aron Milchan.
The prime minister is also accused of engaging in a quid pro quo agreement with an Israeli publisher, the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, where Netanyahu allegedly received positive media coverage in exchange for legislation to weaken the outlet’s rival.
The third case involves allegations that Netanyahu authorized regulatory decisions to benefit the Bezeq telecommunications giant shareholder Shaul Elovitch in exchange for more positive media coverage from the Walla news site, which the telecom mogul owned.
Netanyahu has denied the allegations and refused to express any remorse, two key conditions for receiving a pardon under Israeli law.
His trial has been repeatedly stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic, war in Gaza and Lebanon, and most recently by the conflict with Tehran.
