U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that Israeli President Isaac Herzog had told him a pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “on its way,” a claim swiftly denied by Herzog’s office, according to Reuters. The comments came as Trump hosted Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida for talks spanning Israel’s legal crisis, Gaza, Iran and regional security.
Standing beside Netanyahu, Trump described the Israeli leader as a “wartime prime minister” and questioned why he would not receive a pardon. “I spoke to the president … he tells me it’s on its way,” Trump told reporters. Herzog’s office responded shortly afterward, saying the Israeli president had not spoken with Trump since a pardon request was submitted weeks ago and that any decision would follow established legal procedures.
Netanyahu, Israel’s first sitting prime minister to face criminal charges, denies allegations of bribery, fraud and breach of trust stemming from a 2019 indictment. Reuters reported that his pardon request, submitted on November 30, argued that frequent court hearings impair his ability to govern and that clemency would serve the national interest. The bid has drawn fierce criticism from opponents, who say granting a pardon mid-trial would undermine the rule of law, especially since Israeli law provides no precedent for pardoning a defendant before a verdict.
Trump has openly supported Netanyahu’s quest for clemency, having written to Herzog in November urging him to grant a pardon and describing the case as politically motivated. Herzog’s office stressed that while the president has the authority to pardon convicts, no decision has been made and the legal process remains intact, Reuters said.
Beyond the pardon controversy, Trump used the meeting to issue stark warnings on Iran and Hamas. He said the United States could support another major strike on Iran if it resumes rebuilding ballistic missile or nuclear weapons programs, suggesting Tehran may be attempting to restore capabilities after a U.S. strike in June. Trump also warned Hamas of severe consequences if it does not disarm, saying “there will be hell to pay” if the group continues to defy ceasefire terms.
The talks focused on advancing a fragile Gaza ceasefire brokered by Washington, as well as Israeli concerns about Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon and regional stability. Reuters noted that while Trump has helped broker multiple ceasefires involving Israel, tensions remain high, with both Israel and Hamas accusing each other of violations and key elements of a second phase of the Gaza deal still unresolved.
Trump struck a warm tone throughout the visit, signaling continued alignment with Netanyahu despite controversy at home and abroad. Netanyahu, in turn, praised Trump after the meeting and said he would award him Israel’s prestigious Israel Prize, underscoring the close political bond even as legal, military and diplomatic uncertainties continue to surround both leaders.
