Donald Trump (AP)
US President Donald Trump has sent a letter to his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog, urging him to consider granting a pardon to Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently on trial in three separate corruption cases, the Presidency of Israel said on Wednesday. In a statement, Herzog’s office said: “This morning, President Isaac Herzog received the attached letter from US President Donald Trump, calling on him to consider granting a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.” It added that “anyone seeking a Presidential pardon must submit a formal request in accordance with the established procedures.” Netanyahu has been indicted in 2019 on corruption, bribery and breach-of-trust charges, including allegations of accepting gifts worth nearly 700,000 shekels (about US $211,000) from businessmen. He denies the charges and has pleaded not guilty. Trump’s letter contends that the case against Netanyahu is “a political, unjustified prosecution” reflecting his long-standing alliance with Trump and opposition to Iran.While the Israeli presidency is largely ceremonial, Herzog does hold the constitutional authority to grant pardons under exceptional circumstances. However, no formal pardon request from Netanyahu has yet been submitted.(With inputs from agencies)