Broadcasting Authority: Trump's attack on Herzog may hinder efforts to pardon Netanyahu

Official media sources reported today, Saturday, that the public attack launched by US President Donald Trump on his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog may cast a negative shadow on Benjamin Netanyahu's presidential pardon file. The sources explained that these public pressures may reduce the chances of the prime minister obtaining a legal exit from his ongoing trial, especially in light of the political and legal sensitivities surrounding this thorny issue.

Trump had sharply criticized Herzog after meeting Netanyahu at the White House last Thursday, considering that the Israeli president should be ashamed for not using his powers to grant a pardon to Netanyahu. The latter faces serious charges including fraud, bribery, and breach of trust, at a time when his allies in Washington are pushing to permanently close these judicial files.

For his part, Israeli President Isaac Herzog quickly responded to these statements, confirming that the issue of the pardon is still under careful legal review. Herzog stressed that the final decision will be made based on professional and legal standards, away from any internal pressures or external dictates, in a clear indication of his rejection of direct American interference in judicial sovereignty.

Reports indicate that Trump has moved from secret and written requests to direct public attacks, which may have completely counterproductive results. Observers believe that this approach may push Herzog to demonstrate the independence of the presidency and be strict in the conditions for a pardon, to avoid appearing subservient to American desires before an Israeli society divided on this issue.

According to the analyzes received, Trump's statements are largely consistent with the narrative promoted by Netanyahu and his entourage, which claims that the prosecutions are political targeting. It appears that the US President wanted to provide political support to Netanyahu at a low cost, especially after the latter failed to achieve tangible accomplishments in major regional files such as the Iranian file during his last visit to Washington.

Netanyahu faces charges in three major corruption cases, where the prosecution in Case 1000 accuses him of receiving valuable gifts in exchange for facilities for businessmen. Case 2000 relates to negotiations with a newspaper publisher to obtain positive coverage, while Case 4000 deals with providing facilities to a telecommunications company in exchange for media support, issues that have shaken Israeli society for years.

Netanyahu had submitted an official request to Herzog last November for a pardon, but he stipulated not admitting guilt or retiring from political life. This position represents a major legal obstacle, as Israeli law does not allow the president to grant a pardon unless the accused admits the charges against him, which Netanyahu has completely rejected since the start of his trial.

In addition to internal crises, Netanyahu faces increasing international pressure as he is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges related to war crimes. Trump's intervention at this time further complicates the diplomatic scene, as this intervention is seen as a precedent in normalizing blatant American interference in internal judicial affairs, which may strain institutional relations between Tel Aviv and Washington.

Herzog should be ashamed of himself for not granting a pardon to Netanyahu, who is on trial for fraud and bribery.