Trump: Herzog is a ‘disgrace,’ must pardon Netanyahu now so PM can focus on Iran warTimes of Israel, Mar 5, 2026
Herzog’s office: Israel a ‘sovereign state governed by the rule of law,’ pardon decision will be made sans external input;
Trump says he won’t meet with president until he issues pardon
US President Donald Trump demanded Thursday that President Isaac Herzog immediately pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling Herzog a “disgrace,” in his latest heated intervention on behalf of the prime minister in his corruption trial.
The US president claimed he’s raised the matter with the Israeli president for a year, and that Herzog promised him five times that he would pardon Netanyahu. Trump added that he is refusing to meet Herzog until he gives Netanyahu a pardon. There have been no reported efforts by Herzog to meet with Trump.
Trump claimed Herzog has been holding the issue over Netanyahu’s head for a year, even though Netanyahu only requested a pardon in November. Netanyahu has consistently denied wrongdoing in the three corruption cases for which he is on trial, claiming he has been framed by the police and state prosecution.
Trump has been calling for Netanyahu to be pardoned since June 2025, the last time Israel and Iran fought a war. The Prime Minister’s Office has denied that Netanyahu asked the US president to take up the issue.
Thursday marked the second time Trump has attacked Herzog over the issue in less than a month, after he said in February that Herzog “should be ashamed of himself” for not granting a pardon to Netanyahu, who is standing trial for alleged bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
response to Trump’s comments on Thursday, the President’s Residence issued a statement praising the US president, but stressing Herzog’s prerogative to decide for himself on whether to grant Netanyahu a pardon.
“President Herzog greatly respects and appreciates the tremendous contribution of Donald Trump to Israel’s security. He views him as the leader of the free world, a central ally of Israel, and particularly values his firm stance against Iran,” the statement said.
Herzog’s office noted that Israel “is a sovereign state governed by the rule of law,” and as such, the pardon request is currently being dealt with by the Justice Ministry, which will offer its legal opinion, as per the law.
“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 added.
More:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-herzog-a-disgrace-must-pardon-netanyahu-now-so-pm-can-focus-on-iran-war/
