JERUSALEM — U.S. President Donald Trump has formally requested that Israeli President Isaac Herzog grant a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently embroiled in a corruption trial. This letter, sent on Wednesday, marks Trump's latest effort to intervene in the case, which has deeply divided Israeli society and raised concerns about American influence in Israeli affairs.

In his letter, Trump described the corruption charges against Netanyahu as a "political, unjustified prosecution." He urged Herzog to pardon Netanyahu, stating, "As the Great State of Israel and the amazing Jewish People move past the terribly difficult times of the last three years, I hereby call on you to fully pardon Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been a formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister, and is now leading Israel into a time of peace."

Netanyahu is the first sitting prime minister in Israel's history to face trial, facing charges of fraud, breach of trust, and bribery in three separate cases. He has consistently denied the allegations, labeling the proceedings as a witch hunt orchestrated by the media, police, and judiciary. The trial has faced numerous delays, particularly due to the ongoing conflict and unrest following Hamas-led attacks in October 2023.

While the presidency in Israel is largely ceremonial, it does hold the power to grant pardons. Herzog confirmed receipt of Trump's letter but emphasized that any request for a pardon must be submitted formally. He has not indicated how he would respond to Netanyahu's potential request, stating that he believes the trial has been a distraction for the nation and expressing a preference for a settlement between Netanyahu and the prosecution.

Trump's call for a pardon received enthusiastic support from Netanyahu's allies during a recent speech to the Knesset, Israel's parliament. However, it has also sparked debate about the extent of American influence over Israeli policy, particularly regarding security matters in Gaza. Concerns about this influence have been heightened by visits from senior U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which some Israeli media have dubbed "Bibi-sitting."

Opposition leader Yair Lapid warned that a pardon could have serious implications for Netanyahu. He noted on social media, "Reminder: Israeli law stipulates that the first condition for receiving a pardon is an admission of guilt and an expression of remorse for those actions."

Legal experts have pointed out that a presidential pardon for Netanyahu would require a formal request and a lengthy process involving recommendations from the Justice Ministry. Amir Fuchs, a senior researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute, stated, "Pardon is a word for forgiveness; a pardon without some kind of admission of guilt is very unusual and even illegal."

Fuchs also cautioned that granting a pardon following Trump's letter could undermine the rule of law in Israel, suggesting it would send a troubling message about corruption. Trump has previously referred to Netanyahu's trial as a "WITCH HUNT," echoing sentiments shared by both leaders regarding their legal challenges and perceived victimization by the system.