Khaberni - Israeli President Isaac Herzog today, Friday, commented on the recent statements by US President Donald Trump regarding granting a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Herzog said: "I am not looking for my personal dignity, but for the dignity of the state. There is a saying in our sources (tradition): 'A king who relinquishes his dignity - his insult is not forgiven.' I am not a king, I am the president of the sovereign, independent State of Israel, and I believe that under these circumstances, there is a difference between the political and legal disputes that have persisted for decades over various issues even with our allies, and the overt assault on the symbols of governance and sovereignty of the State of Israel. A statement was expected on this matter."
The Israeli President added: "Our dignity, independence, and sovereignty are not for sale to anyone. However, I would like to point out that I will of course handle the pardon request, when presented, with complete independence, with full freedom, without pressure and without noise - from any direction, and with clarity of mind and integrity."
About two weeks ago, Trump told Channel 12 Hebrew, saying, "President Herzog should pardon Bibi today. I don't want anything to distract Bibi except the war with Iran."
According to him, "Herzog is a disgrace. Tell him that I am exposing him. I have been talking to him about this matter for a year. He promised me five times that he would grant a pardon to Bibi (Netanyahu). I told him that I will not meet with him (if he does not grant the pardon to Netanyahu). He has been hanging this matter over Bibi's head for a year."
It is worth mentioning that US President Donald Trump requested during a speech at the Knesset last October from Herzog, to grant Netanyahu a presidential pardon, which was among his public interventions in the case, as he wrote last June on his platform "Truth Social" that "the United States will save Netanyahu from trial," considering the charges against him to be "purely political," urging on several occasions to do so.
** Background of the cases
Netanyahu is tried in three corruption cases known in Israel:
- Case 4000 (Bezeq/Walla):
Charges related to bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, as he is accused of granting privileges to the telecommunications company Bezeq in exchange for positive media coverage on Walla website.
- Case 1000 (the gifts):
It concerns receiving illegal luxury gifts by him and his wife Sarah from businessmen in exchange for favors.
- Case 2000 (Yedioth Ahronoth):
It involves secret negotiations with the newspaper's publisher Arnon Mozes to obtain positive coverage in exchange for legislation damaging its competitor Israel Today.
Netanyahu faces charges in these files that extend to bribery and breach of trust, which are the serious charges that could politically topple him in case of conviction. However, recent actions, according to observers, reflect attempts to undermine the judicial process from within through political and legislative tools.
