Trump Claims Netanyahu Pardon ‘On Its Way’ as Israeli President Disputes

President Donald Trump said Monday that Israeli President Isaac Herzog had informed him a pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “on its way,” an assertion Herzog’s office quickly challenged.

Speaking to reporters while standing beside Netanyahu before a meeting in Florida, Trump declared: “He’s a wartime prime minister who’s a hero. How do you not give a pardon? I spoke to the president … he tells me it’s on its way.”

When asked about Trump’s remarks, Herzog’s office stated that the Israeli president had not spoken with Trump since Netanyahu submitted his pardon request several weeks ago. The office added that during an earlier conversation, it was clarified any decision would follow established procedures.

Netanyahu, Israel’s first sitting prime minister to be charged with a crime, denies allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust dating back to his 2019 indictment.

The former prime minister submitted his pardon request on November 30, arguing that frequent court hearings impair his ability to govern and that clemency serves the national interest. The appeal was lodged following the start of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, as Netanyahu’s government sought to end Hamas’ rule under Trump’s plan to conclude two years of war and expand diplomatic ties across the region.

Opponents have criticized the request, stating that pardoning Netanyahu mid-trial would constitute a total breach of the rule of law. According to Israeli law, the president has authority to pardon convicted individuals, but there is no precedent for issuing a pardon during active trials.

Netanyahu’s pardon efforts have been bolstered by Trump, who in November wrote a formal letter to Herzog urging clemency and described the case as “political, unjustified prosecution.”