US President Donald Trump continues to press President Isaac Herzog to grant a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his ongoing corruption trial, criticizing his efforts to arrange a plea deal for the premier in an interview with Channel 12.
In a conversation with the outlet, Trump divulges that Netanyahu spoke with him over the phone and complained to him that he had to be in court that same day and the next.
“In the middle of a war? Give me a break. Netanyahu can’t take a plea deal, he needs to receive a pardon,” the US president reportedly says. “He is a leader during wartime, he cannot continue with this trial hanging over his head.”
After past comments deriding Herzog as “weak” and “pathetic” for not granting a pardon to the premier, Trump seems to change his tone toward the president.
“I am very fond of Herzog. Tell him that I’ll really appreciate it if he gives Netanyahu a pardon. If he gives Netanyahu a pardon, he will be a national hero,” he is quoted as saying.
Help us report truthfully on social media
As a multimedia journalist, my job is to take the quality, fact-based journalism produced by The Times of Israel newsroom and make it accessible across every platform — from Instagram posts to podcasts to short-form videos.
This is how many, especially young people, consume news these days. But misinformation is rampant on social media. Our team at ToI produces accurate, responsible short-form reporting on Israel and the Jewish world.
If you believe in the importance of factual social media journalism, please consider joining our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community. Your financial support is essential to sustain responsible multimedia reporting.
— Gabriella Jacobs, multimedia journalist
Support our work
Support our work
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You're a dedicated reader
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
