After Trump comments, Herzog says ‘Israel is a sovereign state,’ no decision made yet on pardon

After US President Donald Trump said President Isaac Herzog should be “ashamed of himself” for not pardoning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Herzog’s office says it has not made any decision yet on the matter.

“To clarify, the prime minister’s request is currently under review at the Justice Ministry for a legal opinion in accordance with the established procedures,” Herzog’s office says in a statement, noting that the president is currently on his way back from a trip to Australia.

“Only upon completion of that process, will President Herzog consider the request in accordance with the law, the best interests of the State of Israel, guided by his conscience, and without any influence from external or internal pressures of any kind,” his office adds.

Herzog “deeply appreciates President Trump for his significant contribution to the State of Israel and its security,” the statement adds.

“Israel is a sovereign state governed by the rule of law. Contrary to the impression created by President Trump’s remarks, President Herzog has not yet made any decision on this matter,” Herzog’s office points out.

Trump has waged a very public campaign to get Herzog to pardon Netanyahu, even calling on him to do so in his address to the Knesset in October, months before the prime minister had officially submitted his request.