President Trump says there is no risk of ceasefire after Israel attacks on Gaza
President Donald Trump says the ceasefire agreement is not in jeopardy after Israeli airstrikes on Gaza left scores dead.
Nov 12 (Reuters) – Israeli President Isaac Herzog has received a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump urging him to consider pardoning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Herzog’s office said on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a lengthy corruption trial, and President Trump has repeatedly called for pardons for his aides. Prime Minister Netanyahu denies the charges and maintains his innocence.
In a letter shared by Herzog’s office, President Trump said, “While I fully respect the independence of the Israeli judicial system and its requirements, I believe this ‘case’ against Mr. Bibi, who has fought alongside me for many years, including against Israel’s most powerful enemy, Iran, is a political and unwarranted prosecution.”
The agency said those seeking presidential pardon must submit a formal application following established procedures.
During a visit to Israel in October, President Trump asked Prime Minister Herzog for a pardon in a speech to Congress in Jerusalem.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was indicted on three separate charges in 2019, including charges that he accepted gifts worth about 700,000 shekels (about $211,832) from a businessman.
Despite the largely ceremonial role of Israel’s president, Herzog has the power to pardon convicted criminals under unusual circumstances.
However, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s trial, which began in 2020, has not yet concluded, and Prime Minister Netanyahu has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has framed his legal ordeal as a left-wing witch hunt aimed at overthrowing elected right-wing leaders.
(Reporting by Tala Ramadan and Steven Scheer; Editing by Sharon Singleton and William Maclean)
