By Innovation Times U.S. & Middle East Affairs Desk
October 13, 2025 | Washington, D.C.
In a surprise and unscripted remark during a campaign stop in New York, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly called on Israeli President Isaac Herzog to grant a full pardon to Benjamin Netanyahu, describing the embattled Israeli prime minister as “the greatest wartime leader in modern history.”
Speaking to a cheering crowd at a fundraising event, Trump deviated from his prepared remarks to address Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial in Jerusalem. “I hope President Herzog does the right thing,” Trump said. “Benjamin Netanyahu has done more to protect Israel and world peace than anyone. He’s a hero who deserves freedom, not prosecution.”
The comment drew immediate attention from political analysts and diplomats, as it marked one of Trump’s most direct interventions in Israeli judicial affairs since leaving office. Netanyahu, who has faced charges of bribery and fraud, has maintained his innocence and accused political rivals of orchestrating what he calls a “witch hunt” to remove him from power.
Trump’s statement quickly circulated across Israeli media, with several lawmakers expressing concern over what they viewed as an attempt to influence a domestic legal process. Israeli officials declined to respond directly, though a spokesperson for President Herzog said that “the president acts solely within the boundaries of Israel’s laws and constitutional authority.”
In Washington, foreign policy observers noted that Trump’s remark could further strengthen his image among conservative and pro-Israel voters ahead of the 2025 U.S. presidential race. The former president has long described Netanyahu as a close ally, citing their cooperation on the Abraham Accords, which normalized diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab nations.
Netanyahu, who returned to office in late 2022, has led Israel through one of its most turbulent periods marked by the Gaza conflict and escalating tensions with Hezbollah along the Lebanese border. Despite his legal troubles, he remains a deeply influential figure in Israeli politics and a symbol of right-wing resilience.
Trump’s call for clemency underscores his ongoing personal loyalty to Netanyahu, even as global leaders urge Israel to focus on national unity and post-war reconstruction efforts. Political commentators say the statement could complicate diplomatic messaging as Israel’s government continues to navigate domestic and international challenges.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately issue a response to Trump’s remarks. However, several of Netanyahu’s supporters in the Likud Party welcomed the former U.S. president’s comments, calling them “a powerful show of solidarity at a critical time for Israel.”
