CITIZENS NEWS

Trump urges full PARDON for Netanyahu amid corruption trial, sparking debate over rule of law

By kevinhughes // 2025-11-15

• U.S. President Donald Trump formally requested Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling his corruption trial a "political, unjustified prosecution." Trump framed Netanyahu as a key ally against Iran and dismissed the charges as a "witch hunt," echoing his own legal battles.
• Netanyahu faces three major corruption cases involving bribery, fraud and breach of trust, with potential prison time if convicted. He denies wrongdoing, claiming gifts from businessmen were personal and unrelated to political favors.
• Herzog's office acknowledged Trump's letter but stressed that pardons must follow Israeli legal procedures. Netanyahu has not formally requested a pardon himself, and experts note pardons are typically granted only before trial or after conviction – neither of which applies here.
• Far-right supporters (like Itamar Ben-Gvir) applauded Trump's move, calling the indictments "disgraceful." Opposition leaders (like Yair Lapid) argued Netanyahu must admit guilt first – something he refuses to do. Legal experts warn that a politically pressured pardon could undermine Israel's judiciary and rule of law.
• Trump has a history of defending foreign allies (Jair Bolsonaro, Marine Le Pen) facing legal troubles, raising concerns about foreign interference in domestic justice. Netanyahu remains focused on security issues, thanking Trump for support while the trial drags on – highlighting tensions between political influence and judicial independence.

U.S. President Donald Trump has formally requested Israeli President Isaac Herzog to grant a full pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently embroiled in a high-profile corruption trial. In a letter shared by Herzog's office on Wednesday, Nov. 12, Trump urged the Israeli president to pardon Netanyahu, describing the legal proceedings against him as a "political, unjustified prosecution." The unprecedented intervention has ignited fierce debate over judicial independence, political influence and the rule of law in Israel. "While I absolutely respect the independence of the Israeli Justice System, and its requirements, I believe that the 'case' against Bibi, who has fought alongside me for a long time, including against the very tough adversary of Israel, Iran, is a political, unjustified prosecution," Trump wrote. "I hereby call on you to fully pardon Benjamin Netanyahu." Trump's letter marks his most direct intervention yet in Netanyahu's legal troubles, following repeated public statements defending the Israeli leader. During a visit to Israel last month, Trump openly asked Herzog during a Knesset address: "Mr. President, why don't you give him a pardon?"

Netanyahu's legal woes

Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate cases. The most serious allegation involves accepting nearly 700,000 shekels ($211,832) in gifts from wealthy businessmen in exchange for political favors. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison for bribery and three years each for fraud and breach of trust. Netanyahu has consistently denied wrongdoing, framing the trial as a left-wing "witch hunt"—a term Trump has also used to describe his own legal battles. The trial, which began in May 2020, has faced repeated delays, partly due to Netanyahu's wartime leadership amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, the corruption charges against Netanyahu – Israel's longest-serving leader – revolve around three main cases collectively known as "Case 1000," "Case 2000" and "Case 4000." These cases have been ongoing since 2016 and have led to Netanyahu's indictment on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Netanyahu has consistently maintained his innocence, arguing that the gifts were not bribes but tokens of friendship, and that he did not receive any personal benefit from the deals. However, the Israeli Attorney General and the police have recommended that he be indicted on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in all three cases.

Herzog's response: Procedures must be followed

Herzog's office acknowledged Trump's letter but emphasized that pardons must follow legal protocols. "Anyone seeking a pardon must submit a request in accordance with the established procedures," Herzog's office stated. Under Israeli law, a pardon request must come from the accused, their legal team or a family member – none of which have been submitted on Netanyahu's behalf. Additionally, legal experts note that pardons are typically granted only before a trial begins or after a conviction, neither of which applies in Netanyahu's case. Trump's plea has polarized Israeli politics. Far-right supporters, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, cheered the move, calling the indictments "disgraceful" and urging Herzog to act. Opposition leader Yair Lapid countered that Netanyahu would first need to admit guilt and express remorse – something the prime minister has refused to do. Legal analysts warn that a pardon under political pressure could undermine Israel's judiciary. "A pardon without some kind of admission of guilt is very unusual and even illegal," said Amir Fuchs, a constitutional law expert at the Israel Democracy Institute. "The message will be undermining of rule of law."

Will Trump's words change Israel's course?

This is not the first time Trump has intervened in foreign legal cases involving political allies. In July 2024, he defended Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted of plotting a coup. Earlier this year, he supported Marine Le Pen after she was barred from French elections over embezzlement charges. On one hand, critics argue Trump's actions set a dangerous precedent of foreign leaders meddling in domestic justice systems. On the other hand, supporters see it as standing by allies against what they deem politically motivated prosecutions. Netanyahu has yet to formally request a pardon, and Herzog has given no indication he would grant one. Meanwhile, the prime minister remains focused on Israel's security challenges, posting on X: "Thank you, President Trump, for your incredible support. As usual, you get right to the point and call it like it is. I look forward to continuing our partnership to bolster security and expand peace." As Netanyahu's trial drags on, the controversy underscores broader questions about accountability, political interference and the balance of power in democratic nations. For now, the world watches – and waits – to see whether Trump's appeal will sway Israel's leadership or if the rule of law will prevail. Watch the video below about President Donald Trump asking Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com Edition.CNN.com BrightU.ai Reuters.com APNews.com Brighteon.com

Donald Trump fraud Israel corruption bribery big government pardon Witch Hunt Marine Le Pen outrage Benjamin Netanyahu breach of trust political favors Jair Bolsonaro Knesset Yair Lapid Isaac Herzog Itamar Ben Gvir full pardon Case 1000 Case 2000 Case 4000