In a day full of extraordinary events, one of the most surprising moments was when Donald Trump – during an hour-long speech at the Knesset in Jerusalem – asked Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu over long-standing charges of fraud and bribery.
– Mr. President, why don't you pardon him? Pardon him,” Trump said, smiling broadly and pointing to Netanyahu, whom he called “one of the greatest” wartime leaders.
This sparked an enthusiastic storm of applause from Israeli Likud MPs and other supporters of the prime minister in the Knesset, who joyfully chanted Netanyahu's nickname: “Bibi! Bibi!”
“Cigars and champagne, who the hell cares?” Okay, enough controversy for today. Although I don't think it's that controversial, Trump added.
This statement demonstrates the US president's willingness to interfere in Israel's internal affairs – in his characteristically provocative and undiplomatic way, in order to help his ally.
And yes, it would certainly cause controversy in Israel if Herzog attempted to do so — and Trump publicly appealed shocked more traditionally minded Israelis.
Trump talks about a witch hunt
This is not the first time Trump has called for a pardon for Netanyahu ahead of his trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust, including accepting extravagant gifts including cigars and champagne. The Israeli prime minister was indicted in 2019, and some of the investigations that led to the charges date back to 2015.
The case was repeatedly delayed because of Netanyahu's legal maneuvers and his lawyers, and because of security and diplomatic concerns during the war in Gaza.
Some of Netanyahu's political opponents have previously argued publicly that the Israeli leader wants to prolong the conflict to delay the resolution of the case, which is expected to resume after the fighting ends.
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Netanyahu maintains his innocence, arguing that the cases against him are part of it organized conspiracy of the leftwhich aims to overthrow a democratically elected right-wing leader — the same argument Trump has made in the lawsuits brought against him. The prime minister's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump's comments.
In June, Trump echoed Netanyahu's words by accepting the indictment as part of the political game. In a post on Truth Social he wrote: “Such a WITCH HUNT for a man who has given so much is unthinkable to me. He deserves much better, just like the state of Israel. Bibi Netanyahu's trial should be IMMEDIATELY CANCELED or the great hero should be granted a pardon.”
This time, however, Netanyahu's appeal had additional force because it appeared during the historic event of a Middle East peace agreement and was delivered from the Knesset podium.
“It would cause a scandal”
This sparked a violent reaction from Netanyahu's opponents. — There is no way Bibi will be pardoned, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told POLITICO.
“A pardon is only granted when the accused pleads guilty, and Bibi will never do that,” Olmert added. If Herzog tried to pardon him without admitting guilt, “it would cause a huge scandal. And it would probably be invalidated by the Supreme Court,” he said.
Olmert himself served time in prison for accepting bribes and obstructing justice. These allegations related to the period when he was mayor of Jerusalem and minister of trade.
US President Donald Trump with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in the Knesset, October 13, 2025.Evan Vucci – Pool/Getty Images/Getty Images
He was praised across the political spectrum for resigning as party leader and prime minister when the investigation began. In his resignation speech, he said he was “proud to be a citizen of a country where the prime minister can be prosecuted like any other citizen.”
A senior Israeli centrist politician, who was granted anonymity to speak freely because he did not want to offend Trump at this point, said the corruption case against Netanyahu it's about more than just cigars and champagne.
He said a Netanyahu pardon would threaten Israel's rule of law and further poison the country's already toxic and polarized politics.
— Israel has an independent judicial system, the president cannot pardon the prime minister without admitting guilt and showing remorse. This is not legally possible, he added.
Expensive gifts in return for favors
Dahlia Scheindlin, a columnist and pollster, said the pardon Trump is seeking would be a “gross violation of anything resembling a democratic process.”
“Not that Trump showed any interest in democracy or democratic processes in his speech,” she added. Scheindlin said that if Herzog made the decision to pardon Netanyahu on his own, that would be one thing, “but it cannot be an artificial act at the behest of a foreign leader.”
Prosecutors say Netanyahu granted lucrative regulatory favors to media executives in exchange for positive coverage and also accepted expensive gifts from the billionaire.
More than 140 witnesses testified against him, including some of Netanyahu's closest former allies.
He and his wife Sara are accused in one of the cases for accepting luxury goods worth over PLN 260,000 hole. (PLN 956,000), such as cigars, jewelry and champagne, in exchange for political favors.
In two other cases, Netanyahu is accused of trying to negotiate more favorable coverage with representatives of two Israeli media outlets.
A Netanyahu adviser contacted by POLITICO was not immediately available for official comment.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
