Presidential Pardon Appeal
Trump Makes Unprecedented Appeal for Netanyahu Pardon During Historic Knesset Address
During a Knesset address, US President Donald Trump urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying "give him a pardon" and dismissing allegations about "cigars and champagne" while praising Netanyahu as a wartime leader. The remarks, delivered from the Knesset podium, were a striking intervention in Israel's domestic politics that could bolster Netanyahu ahead of an expected election. Netanyahu is standing trial in three corruption cases that accuse him of accepting lavish gifts and seeking favorable media coverage, allegations he denies as politically motivated. Trump, who has previously defended Netanyahu and compared his legal woes to his own "witch hunt" claims, did not address an International Criminal Court arrest warrant tied to Israel's Gaza campaign in the speech. Observers say the recent Gaza ceasefire and hostage releases have temporarily improved Netanyahu's standing, but his legal battles and divided public opinion persist.
Key Points
Trump pressed Israel to move beyond the battlefield and work toward peace, saying the country "has won all that they can by force of arms."
His Knesset remarks came immediately after Hamas released all 20 remaining living hostages as part of a ceasefire agreement.
Netanyahu supporters in the chamber stood up and cheered when Trump urged President Isaac Herzog to pardon the prime minister.
Trump acknowledged the remark was unscripted on the podium, saying, "By the way, that was not in the speech, as you probably know."
He said he may meet some of the released hostages at Sheba Medical Center and also spoke with hostages' families at the Knesset during his visit.
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