Jerusalem, 12 November, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israeli President Isaac Herzog confirmed Wednesday that he received a signed letter from U.S. President Donald Trump urging him to grant clemency to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who remains on trial in a series of corruption cases. The letter, written in Trump’s characteristic style, calls the charges against Netanyahu “politically motivated and unjustified” and appealed to Herzog to “end this political persecution once and for all.”
“As the great State of Israel and the amazing Jewish people go through one of the most difficult times, I call on you to fully pardon Benjamin Netanyahu, who was a formidable and decisive prime minister in wartime and is now leading Israel into a time of peace,” Trump wrote.
The American president praised Netanyahu’s leadership during what he called “the most difficult war,” adding, “Netanyahu has stood firm for Israel in the face of strong adversaries and long-standing opposition, and his attention cannot be unnecessarily distracted. While I fully respect the independence of the Israeli judiciary, I believe the ‘case’ against Bibi is political and unjustified.”
Addressing Herzog directly, Trump wrote, “Isaac, we have formed a wonderful relationship, for which I am grateful and deeply respectful. Now, having achieved unprecedented successes together and keeping Hamas under control, it is time to allow Bibi to unite Israel by granting him amnesty and ending the legal war once and for all.”
Herzog’s office said the President “greatly respects President Trump and reiterates his appreciation for his unreserved support for Israel and his enormous contribution to maintaining the security of the State of Israel.” However, Herzog emphasized that “those interested in receiving a pardon must submit an application in accordance with the rules.”
Herzog stated that no pardon can be considered unless Netanyahu first formally admits guilt and requests clemency — a step the Prime Minister has so far rejected.
Trump had previously raised the idea of pardoning Netanyahu in jest during a Knesset address on October 13, quipping, “Cigars and champagne? Come on.”
Reacting to the letter, opposition leader Yair Lapid tweeted, “Reminder: Israeli law states that the first condition for receiving a pardon is an admission of guilt and an expression of remorse for the actions.”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a close Netanyahu ally, praised Trump’s appeal and attacked Israel’s judiciary. “The fabricated and despicable indictments against the prime minister have long since become an indictment against the prosecution, whose disgrace and crimes are exposed in court every day,” he said. “A pardon in this case is the right and urgent thing to do. President Herzog, listen to President Trump!”
Netanyahu faces charges of fraud, accepting bribes, and breach of trust stemming from three separate police investigations. He denies all wrongdoing.
In the case known as the “Bezeq Affair,” Netanyahu, while serving as communications minister, is accused of granting regulatory benefits to the Bezeq telecom giant. In return, Bezeq’s majority shareholder, Shaul Elovitch, allegedly provided Netanyahu with favorable coverage on the Walla news site, which he owned.
In the second investigation, known as the “Yediot Affair,” Netanyahu allegedly helped *Yediot Aharonot* publisher Arnon Mozes by advancing regulations on newspaper distribution to Mozes’s advantage. In exchange, Mozes is accused of offering Netanyahu favorable coverage.
In a separate investigation known as the “Gifts Affair,” Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, are accused of accepting $200,000 in gifts from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan in exchange for assistance with a U.S. visa and changes to tax provisions benefiting Milchan. This case is widely regarded as the most serious one against Netanyahu.
The trial is being held at the Jerusalem District Court, but for security reasons, Netanyahu was permitted to testify in an underground courtroom at the Tel Aviv District Court.
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