Herzog: I Respect Trump’s Opinion But Israel Is A Sovereign State

Jerusalem, 6 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — President Isaac Herzog says he respects US President Donald Trump’s opinion that he should pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his corruption case. However, he emphasized that Israel is a sovereign country and that the country’s legal system must be respected.

In an interview with the Politico news site, Herzog said: ‘Everybody understands that any pre-emptive pardon has to be considered on its merits. There are many issues to discuss.’ Herzog then went on to say that ‘on the one hand, there is the issue of full equality under the law. On the other hand, of course, there are the unique circumstances of each and every case.’

‘I respect President Trump’s friendship and his opinion,’ he said in reference to Trump’s repeated requests that he pardon Netanyahu.

‘Why? Because, as I tell many Israelis, he is the same President Trump who we begged to bring back our hostages, and who led the way in getting the UN Security Council resolution through. However, Israel is naturally a sovereign country and we fully respect the Israeli legal system and its requirements,” the President added.