During a recent victory speech in Congress, President Trump made a startling request, urging Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing bribery charges.
“I’ve got an idea. Mr. President, why not pardon him? I want you to pardon him,” Trump proclaimed passionately, eliciting enthusiastic applause from the audience.
“This wasn’t in my script, but as you might guess, I really like this gentleman,” he added.
The former president commented on the political situation, suggesting, “It seems logical. Whether we like it or not, this was one of the greatest wars.”
He then dismissed concerns about the charges, stating, “And cigars and champagne, who honestly cares?”
Netanyahu, who holds the record for being the longest-serving prime minister in Israel, was indicted back in 2019 on accusations including breach of trust, bribery, and fraud.
The allegations revolve around multiple incidents where Netanyahu and his wife reportedly received lavish gifts from Israel’s elite.
Additionally, he is suspected of offering regulatory favors to a major newspaper and telecommunications company in exchange for favorable coverage.
Although prosecutors dropped the case last year, lengthy interviews with witnesses have continued.
Netanyahu was supposed to testify; however, there have been scheduling conflicts.
He has strongly denied all accusations. The trial has already featured testimony from over 140 witnesses, including former associates, as well as a variety of evidence such as text messages and recordings.
Interestingly, Herzog and Netanyahu were once fierce political foes, with Herzog leading the opposition from 2013 to 2018.
As president, Herzog can grant pardons and has previously indicated he might be open to doing so for Netanyahu.
“The case has significantly impacted Israeli society. If there’s any request or process, we will be fully transparent,” Herzog stated on Israeli Army Radio last month, emphasizing the importance of considering what’s best for the state.
While Trump remains quite popular in Israeli political circles, Netanyahu’s standing has declined.
At a recent event in Tel Aviv, special envoy Steve Witkoff faced boos when mentioning Netanyahu but received cheers when he spoke about Trump.
Despite their somewhat friendly public interaction, Trump and Netanyahu have had their disagreements over the years.
Earlier in his speech, Trump noted, “It’s not easy for him. He’s challenging to work with, but that’s what makes him great.”
In a previous meeting, Trump urged Netanyahu to apologize to the Qatari prime minister following an incident, and he expressed frustration at Netanyahu’s apparent disinterest in Trump’s peace plan involving Israel and Hamas, insisting, “This is a victory. Accept it.”
During the 2024 campaign, Trump publicly criticized Netanyahu, expressing anger over issues related to an Iranian military leader and the recognition of Biden’s electoral victory.
