In an extraordinary diplomatic intervention, US President Donald Trump has sent a formal letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, asking a full pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on trial for multiple offences. The appeal marks an unprecedented intervention in Israel’s internal affairs, as Netanyahu continues to face trial on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust—allegations he has steadfastly denied since 2020.
Trump’s letter praises Netanyahu as a “formidable and decisive war-time Prime Minister” and insists that the ongoing trial represents a “political, unjustified prosecution.” While stressing that he “absolutely respects” the independence of Israel’s justice system, Trump argues that the case has distracted Netanyahu at a crucial moment for the nation. He describes Israel as being at a “historic time” following recent conflicts and diplomatic negotiations, suggesting that the country’s leader should be free to focus on national unity and security rather than legal battles.
Such an appeal is highly unusual. Foreign leaders usually don’t interfere in judicial proceedings of another sovereign state. Trump, however, is an unusual leader and does not mind blurring the boundaries between domestic and international politics.
The response from the Israeli presidency was courteous but unequivocal. Herzog’s office expressed deep respect for Trump’s friendship with Israel and appreciation for his contributions to the country’s security and diplomacy. However, it reaffirmed that presidential pardons are subject to strict legal procedures. Without a formal request by the individual concerned or their legal representatives, a pardon is not possible under Israeli law. Moreover, a pardon is generally considered only after a conviction. In the case of Netanyahu, both conditions have not been met, and, therefore, Herzog’s options are limited at this stage.
Meanwhile, Trump’s request has come after a fragile ceasefire was achieved in Gaza with American support, after several months of intense fighting. So, his intervention can be seen as part of a broader effort to reassert his influence and to defend a staunch ally.
In Israel, the letter has provoked sharp political reactions. Members of Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition have hailed Trump’s call as a gesture of loyalty and justice, arguing that the charges against the prime minister are politically driven. They claim that the lengthy legal process has paralysed governance and undermined Israel’s leadership at a time of national security challenges.
Quite naturally, the opposition has criticised Trump’s move, calling it blatantly disrespectful of Israel’s legal system. Leading figures of the opposition say that under Israeli law, a presidential pardon requires an admission of guilt and genuine remorse, but Netanyahu has not met those conditions. Moreover, pardoning a prime minister under indictment would hurt the judiciary’s credibility and set a dangerous precedent.
For Netanyahu, the controversy has come at a time of yet another political turbulence. It coincided with the resignation of Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, one of his closest advisers and a key interlocutor with Washington. The resignation has fuelled speculation about instability within the administration.
Adding to Netanyahu’s woes is the rising demand for a formal inquiry by the Supreme Court president into the security lapses that allowed the Hamas attacks of October 2023. Netanyahu has so far resisted such demands. With national elections expected within the year and growing talk of early polls, Trump’s intervention has injected a new and unpredictable dynamic into Israel’s already charged political climate.
For Netanyahu, the stakes could hardly be higher. The trial, going on for five years, has been delayed by procedural issues and political concerns. It has hurt his credibility and popularity, raising uncomfortable questions about his leadership.
Trump’s appeal, though unlikely to influence legal outcomes, has reinforced the perception of Netanyahu as both embattled and indispensable—a leader under siege who retains powerful friends abroad. It also reflects the American president’s desire to stand by friends and allies who share his political outlook.
