WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump has renewed his “pressure campaign” on Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to an Axios report published Wednesday. Trump told Axios that Netanyahu had raised his corruption trial when they spoke on Tuesday night and lamented that he would be back in court on Wednesday instead of focusing on Iran. “In the middle of a war? Give me a break,” Trump said.
The call between the two leaders came as Netanyahu is navigating both a multi-front war against Iran and its proxies and a long-running corruption trial that has dogged him for years. Trump’s intervention marks the latest chapter in his public advocacy for Netanyahu, whom he has repeatedly called a victim of a “witch hunt” similar to his own legal battles.
Netanyahu Cuts Court Session Short
On Wednesday, Netanyahu cut short a court session in his corruption trial to hold security consultations related to an aid flotilla heading to the Gaza Strip. Before the trial session began in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu asked to shorten Wednesday’s hearing to three hours, but judges rejected the request. He then asked to leave the courtroom for one hour to hold security consultations at the Defence Ministry and then return later, which the judges approved.
Netanyahu faces charges of corruption, bribery and breach of trust in three cases that could lead to imprisonment if convicted. An indictment was filed by the attorney general in November 2019. Despite repeated court appearances, Netanyahu has maintained his innocence, claiming the charges are politically motivated.
Trump’s Softened Tone
After repeatedly attacking Herzog over the course of several months, Trump took a softer approach in his latest comments, saying that Herzog “will be a national hero if he gives Bibi a pardon. I will very much appreciate it.” He said Netanyahu’s trial makes Israel “look bad” and dismissed the charges as “wine and cigars.” “Bibi is a wartime prime minister. He can’t have this hanging over his head,” Trump said.
Trump has been advocating for a pardon for Netanyahu since last June, claiming the corruption trial against him is a “witch hunt” similar to the legal challenges he has faced in the US.
Legal Hurdles
Netanyahu has neither acknowledged any misconduct nor shown remorse — both of which are essential requirements for a pardon under Israeli law. President Herzog has limited authority to issue pardons, and such a move would be highly controversial given the serious nature of the charges and the lack of any admission of wrongdoing.
Political Context
Israel is set to hold elections in October, and if Netanyahu is defeated, his chances of going to prison could rise sharply. Conversely, remaining in power may allow him to advance legislation that could provide immunity or otherwise alter the legal landscape. The timing of Trump’s renewed pressure — amid a fragile ceasefire with Iran and ongoing Israeli military operations in Lebanon — adds a layer of complexity.
The Aid Flotilla and Security Situation
The security consultations that prompted Netanyahu to leave court centered on an aid flotilla heading to Gaza. Earlier this week, Israel intercepted vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters near Greece, drawing condemnation from the UN special rapporteur and Turkey. The incident has raised tensions along Israel’s maritime border and added to the prime minister’s already heavy workload.
Trump’s Earlier Criticism
In an earlier interview with Axios in March, Trump called Herzog “a disgrace” for not giving Netanyahu a pardon. In another interview, he called him “weak and pathetic.” The shift to a more conciliatory tone — suggesting Herzog could become a “national hero” — may reflect a recognition that public attacks were counterproductive.
Analysis: A Pardon Unlikely
Despite Trump’s repeated appeals, a presidential pardon for Netanyahu remains unlikely under current circumstances. Israeli law requires the convicted individual to acknowledge wrongdoing and express remorse — conditions Netanyahu has not met. President Herzog has given no indication that he is considering such a move, and the political fallout would be immense.
Moreover, Herzog’s role is largely ceremonial when it comes to criminal justice matters. The pardon power is exercised sparingly and typically only after the legal process has concluded with a final conviction. Netanyahu’s trial is still ongoing, and no verdict has been reached.
Trump’s intervention, while significant given his close relationship with Netanyahu, is unlikely to sway Herzog. However, it does shine a spotlight on the unprecedented situation of a sitting prime minister fighting corruption charges while managing a war. As the conflict with Iran and its proxies continues, Netanyahu’s legal troubles remain a persistent distraction — and Trump’s calls for a pardon ensure they stay in the international headlines.
