Trump claims Netanyahu pardon would make Israeli president "national hero"
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Trump with President Herzog (L) and Prime Minister Netanyahu (R) in Tel Aviv in 2015. Photo: Jack Guez/AFP via Getty
President Trump is renewing his pressure campaign on Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, telling Axios in an interview that Herzog could become a "national hero."
Why it matters: Trump said Netanyahu had raised his corruption trial when they spoke on Tuesday night and told him he'd be back in court on Wednesday, instead of focusing on Iran. "In the middle of a war? Give me a break," Trump told Axios.
The intrigue: It was Trump who raised the pardon issue during the call with Axios.
- But after repeatedly attacking Herzog over the course of several months, he took a softer approach. "I like the guy, Herzog," Trump said. "He will be a national hero if he gives Bibi a pardon. I will very much appreciate it."
- He said Netanyahu's trial makes Israel "look bad" and dismissed the charges as "wine and cigars" (among the charges, which Netanyahu denies, are allegations he took gifts in exchange for political favors).
- "Bibi is a wartime prime minister. He can't have this hanging over his head," Trump said.
Zoom out: Trump has been pushing for a Netanyahu pardon since last June, arguing that his trial on corruption charges — ongoing since 2020 — is a "witch hunt" akin to the U.S. president's own legal troubles.
- Pardoning Netanyahu might make Herzog a "hero" to one segment of the Israeli electorate, but it would infuriate many others.
- Israelis will go to the polls in October. If Netanyahu loses, the odds he'll end up in prison will increase significantly.
Driving the news: Earlier this week, Herzog invited Netanyahu's lawyers, the attorney general and the state prosecutor to meet and launch negotiations over a settlement in Netanyahu's case.
- Herzog said he won't make a decision on the pardon until possible plea deal negotiations are exhausted.
- Trump said in the interview that he thinks Netanyahu "can't take" a settlement and needs a full pardon.
Zoom in: Netanyahu has refused to admit any wrongdoing or express remorse — two key conditions for receiving a pardon under Israeli law.
- The odds of a deal also appear low because that would likely require him to plead guilty to charges that could see him banned from holding office for a period of time.
- Netanyahu is unlikely to agree to a deal that would force him to leave politics, and the prosecution currently appears unlikely to settle for less serious charges.
Between the lines: In an interview with Axios in March, Trump called Herzog "a disgrace" for not giving Netanyahu a pardon. In another interview he called him "weak and pathetic."
- It's unclear what got Trump to change his tone towards Herzog. One senior Israeli official speculated that Trump realized his attacks weren't working with Herzog, or that perhaps Netanyahu suggested the change of tone.
