Israeli President Herzog Reaffirms Commitment to Due Process Despite Trump’s Netanyahu Attack

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has reaffirmed his commitment to due process in reviewing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pardon request, responding Thursday to Donald Trump’s attack that characterized his methodical approach as disgraceful and deserving of public condemnation.
Herzog’s office issued a detailed explanation of the legal review underway, noting that the Ministry of Justice is conducting a thorough analysis of the pardon application following all established procedures and constitutional standards. The statement clarified that Herzog has not reached any decision and emphasized that any determination will be based strictly on legal considerations and Israeli law, without being influenced by external political pressure or internal partisan dynamics.
The diplomatic tension escalated when Trump, speaking at a White House press conference during Netanyahu’s Washington visit for bilateral talks, publicly criticized Herzog using harsh personal language. The former American president declared that Herzog “should be ashamed of himself” for not immediately granting the pardon and encouraged Israeli citizens to pressure their president. Trump’s remarks represented an extraordinary level of intervention in another sovereign nation’s internal governmental processes.
Netanyahu currently faces corruption allegations in three ongoing criminal prosecutions. Two cases involve accusations that he orchestrated arrangements with Israeli media organizations, allegedly leveraging governmental regulatory authority to secure favorable news coverage in exchange for policy decisions. The third case centers on claims that Netanyahu accepted luxury items worth over $260,000 from billionaire associates, including expensive cigars, champagne, and jewelry, allegedly in return for political favors that benefited these wealthy individuals.
As the first sitting Israeli prime minister to stand trial on corruption charges, Netanyahu has created an unprecedented political situation that has divided the nation since 2019. Netanyahu has consistently maintained his innocence throughout all proceedings, characterizing the cases as a politically motivated “political trial” designed to remove him from office through judicial means. While one of four original charges was dismissed, three serious cases remain active in the courts. The pardon controversy emerged when Trump addressed the Israeli Knesset in October and publicly urged Herzog to grant clemency, which prompted Netanyahu’s legal team to formally submit a pardon petition to the presidential office.