In a formal letter sent Wednesday morning, President Donald Trump asked Israeli President Isaac Herzog to “fully pardon Benjamin Netanyahu” from corruption charges from 2020.
Netanyahu was charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate cases. He has pled not guilty.
One charge accused Netanyahu of accepting $200,000 of luxury gifts for quid pro quo political favors and another accuses him of trading regulatory favors for positive coverage of his ministry from the Israeli telecommunications company Bezeq, according to The Times of Israel.
The prime minister’s trial began in December 2024, and is expected to continue for several more years.
In his letter, Trump wrote, “While I absolutely respect the independence of the Israeli Justice System, and its requirements, I believe that this ‘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.”
Herzog’s office responded to Trump’s letter, “Anyone seeking a pardon must submit a request in accordance with the established procedures.”
But he added, he appreciates Trump’s “unwavering support of Israel, his immense contribution to the return of the hostages, the transformation of the Middle East and Gaza, and the safeguarding of Israel’s security.”
Netanyahu has not requested a pardon from Herzog.
Trump has commented on Netanyahu’s trial several times. Following the 12-day war between Israel and Iran (June 13-25, 2025), the U.S. president called Netanyahu’s trial a “ridiculous witch hunt.”
“He deserves much better than this, and so does the State of Israel,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Bibi Netanuyahu’s trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero, who has done so much for the state.”
Meanwhile, NYC councilwoman invites Netanyahu to mayoral inauguration
Inna Vernikov, a Republican city councilwoman for New York City, has issued a formal invitation to Netanyahu to attend the city’s January 1 inauguration of mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
Vernikov wrote to Netanyahu, “Despite the vile rhetoric of unashamed Marxist radicals like Mayor-elect Mamdani, your visit would serve as a powerful reminder that this city stands with Israel, the Jewish people, and with the principles that unite our two great nations,” according to The New York Post.
During his campaign, Mamdani repeatedly promised he would arrest Netanyahu for alleged “war crimes” in the Israel-Hamas conflict, saying the Israeli prime minister had violated International Criminal Court laws, per The New York Times.
However, since the ICC holds no legal authority in the U.S., an American mayor arresting a foreign head of state would almost certainly be illegal.
Netanyahu has not publicly responded to the councilwoman’s invitation to attend New York City’s mayoral inauguration.