Israeli President Denies Trump's Claim of Pardon Talks for Netanyahu

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has directly denied a claim made by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump stated he had discussed a potential pardon for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Herzog. The denial follows Trump's comments in a recent interview. He said, "I spoke to the president, and he tells me it’s on its way," referring to a pardon for Netanyahu. Netanyahu is currently facing a long-running corruption trial in Israel. He denies all charges. In a clear response, President Herzog's office stated, "The president never spoke with former President Trump about pardoning Prime Minister Netanyahu." The Israeli president holds a largely ceremonial role. He does not have the legal power to issue pardons for ongoing criminal cases. This authority rests solely with the nation's justice minister. Netanyahu's trial continues in the Jerusalem District Court. The conflicting accounts create a new point of international tension around the legal proceedings.