President Isaac Herzog says he respects US President Donald Trump’s opinion that he should pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his corruption case, but adds that Israel is a sovereign country, and emphasizes respect of the country’s legal system.
“Everybody understands that any pre-emptive pardon has to be considered on the merits,” Herzog tells the Politico news site.
“There are many, many issues to discuss. On the one hand, the full equality under the law, or in front of the law, as we say in Israel. And on the other hand, of course, the unique circumstances of each and every case,” he adds.
“I respect President Trump’s friendship and his opinion,” he says, referencing Trump’s repeated requests that he pardon Netanyahu.
“Why? Because as I tell many Israelis, it is the same President Trump we begged and asked to bring back our hostages and who led bravely an enormous step to bring back our hostages and get the UN Security Council resolution through. But Israel, naturally, is a sovereign country, and we fully respect the Israeli legal system and its requirements.”
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