President Donald Trump demanded on Thursday that Israel‘s president pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sharply criticizing President Isaac Herzog and calling him a “disgrace” for refusing to grant clemency as the Israeli leader faces a corruption trial.
In an interview with journalist Barak Ravid, Trump said Herzog should issue a pardon immediately so that Netanyahu can focus on Israel’s role in the war in Iran rather than his legal troubles.
“He promised me five times that he would grant him a pardon,” Trump said, adding that the Israeli president is “a disgrace.” Trump also said he would refuse to meet with Herzog until a pardon is issued.
Trump argued that Netanyahu should not be distracted by a court case while Israel is engaged in a widening conflict with Iran.
Trump’s comments on Thursday mark the latest intervention in Israeli domestic politics and continue a monthslong push by Trump for Netanyahu to receive a pardon. Trump previously criticized Herzog in February, saying he should be “ashamed of himself” for refusing to grant clemency.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, is standing trial on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases. He has denied wrongdoing and claims the prosecution is politically motivated.
Under Israeli law, the country’s president holds the authority to grant pardons, though such decisions are typically made after legal review and are rare during an active trial.
Herzog’s office has previously said Netanyahu’s pardon request remains under consideration by Israel’s Justice Ministry and denied having made any agreements with Trump.
The renewed pressure comes as Israel and the U.S. are engaged in escalating military operations against Iran following strikes that killed Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei and triggered retaliatory attacks across the region.
Trump has insisted that he be involved in any conversations about selecting Iran’s next leader.
Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, is the most probable successor, but Trump has made it clear he is not a fan of that choice.
“They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight,” Trump said. “Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran.”
Trump compared the situation to the events in Venezuela, where U.S. military forces captured former dictator Nicolas Maduro. Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s vice president, then took the reins, and Trump has since praised the partnership between the U.S. and Venezuela.
