From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Trump: Herzog is ‘weak and pathetic’ for not granting Netanyahu pardon
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
US President Donald Trump renews his attack on President Isaac Herzog over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pardon request, calling Israel’s head of state “weak and pathetic.”
In a conversation with Channel 12’s Barak Ravid, Trump brings up the pardon request of his own accord, and says that Herzog’s is “full of crap” for insisting that he cannot come to a decision before receiving a recommendation from the Justice Ministry.
“He doesn’t need any legal opinions,” Trump says. “He is full of crap. He is a weak and pathetic guy. I want Bibi to be focused on the war — not on bullshit.”
The pardons department of the Justice Ministry has determined that Netanyahu’s request for a pardon do not meet the relevant conditions and requirements, Hebrew media reported today. Herzog is highly unlikely to grant a pardon in such circumstances.
Last week, Trump called Herzog a “disgrace” for not pardoning the prime minister. Herzog’s office responded to that attack by stressing that his decision on a pardon will be made without external influence.
The Times of Israel Community.