Trump Blasts Israeli President Over Netanyahu Pardon, Says Israel Should Be Ashamed
United States President Donald Trump has publicly rebuked Israel’s president for failing to grant a pardon to former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over ongoing corruption charges, describing the situation as “disgraceful” and calling on the Israeli public to hold their leader accountable.
In a fiery remark that has stirred diplomatic attention, Trump said the president of Israel “should be ashamed of himself” for not pardoning Netanyahu. He went further, declaring that “the people of Israel should be ashamed of him because he is disgraceful.”
Trump also defended his own record with the Jewish state, stating, “I’ve been the best friend to Israel that they’ve ever had.”
The comments add a new layer of political tension between Washington and Jerusalem, especially given the sensitive nature of Netanyahu’s legal battles, which have divided public opinion within Israel for years.
Statement from Israel
President Isaac Herzog’s office released a statement clarifying that any request for a presidential pardon remains under legal review by Israel’s Justice Ministry.
Herzog stressed that Israel is a sovereign nation and that any decision regarding a pardon would be made strictly in accordance with the law. He stated that his final determination would be guided by “the law and his conscience, without any influence from external or pressures.”
The statement signals that despite Trump’s vocal intervention, Israeli authorities intend to follow constitutional procedures without yielding to political commentary from abroad.
Netanyahu has faced corruption charges including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, allegations he has consistently denied, describing them as politically motivated.
Trump’s remarks are likely to intensify debate both within Israel and internationally, raising fresh questions about the intersection of diplomacy, personal alliances, and judicial independence in one of America’s closest Middle East partners.
