Trump Sought Pardon for Netanyahu in Letter

Israeli President Isaac Herzog received a letter from US President Donald Trump urging him to consider pardoning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Herzog's office announced Wednesday. The request puts Israel's president in a delicate position between respecting judicial independence and managing relations with Israel's most important ally.

In the letter, Trump called Netanyahu's corruption trial a "political prosecution" that lacks justification. "While I have absolute respect for the independence and requirements of the Israeli judicial system, I believe this 'case' against Bibi, who has fought alongside me for a long time, including against Iran, is a political and unjustified trial," Trump wrote.

The timing is significant. Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases that have dragged on for years. His trial has divided Israeli society, with supporters calling it a political witch hunt while critics argue no one should be above the law.

But here's the thing about Israeli presidential pardons - they're extremely rare and controversial. Herzog would need to weigh multiple factors: maintaining judicial independence, preserving democratic norms, and managing Israel's relationship with its closest ally. Previous Israeli presidents have been reluctant to intervene in ongoing legal proceedings.

Trump's intervention also reflects his personal relationship with Netanyahu, built over years of cooperation on Middle East policy, moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, and taking a hard line against Iran. The former and current US president clearly sees Netanyahu as a key partner in regional strategy.

For investors and regional observers, this adds another layer of uncertainty to Israeli politics. Markets generally prefer stable leadership, but the ongoing legal drama has created persistent political volatility. A pardon could end the uncertainty, but it might also trigger domestic protests and constitutional challenges.

Herzog hasn't indicated how he'll respond to Trump's request. The Israeli president's role is largely ceremonial, but pardoning powers give him real influence in exceptional circumstances. Whatever he decides will likely shape both Israeli democracy and US-Israel relations for years to come.