Trump Urges Israeli President To Care For Netanyahu Who Was Tried In Corruption Cases

JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is being tried on corruption charges, in a speech before the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem.

In a speech that lasted more than an hour, Trump said:

"Hey, I have an idea. Mr. President, why don't you give him a pardon? Who cares?" referring to allegations of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust Netanyahu denies, reported by Reuters, Monday, October 13.

Netanyahu was charged in 2019 in three cases, one of which included the receipt of nearly 700,000 shekels ($210,000) in the form of gifts from entrepreneurs, including champagne and cigars.

The President of Israel plays a role that is largely ceremonial, but he has the authority to pardon criminal convicts if there are unusual circumstances.

However, there has been no decision in Netanyahu's long-standing trial, which began in 2020 and was often cut off during the two years of war and Middle East upheaval. He pleaded innocent and denied any wrongdoing.

In June, Trump requested that Netanyahu's trial be canceled.

Netanyahu described his legal trials as hunting for a left-wing witch aimed at overthrowing the elected far-right leader.