By Asiye Latife Yilmaz
ISTANBUL (AA) – Israeli President Isaac Herzog responded Thursday to remarks by US President Donald Trump targeting him over not issuing a pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that “Israel is a sovereign state governed by the rule of law.”
The response from Herzog’s office came after Trump said the Israeli president needs to be ashamed of himself for not giving Netanyahu a pardon.
“For the sake of clarity, as has been explained repeatedly, the Prime Minister’s request is, according to the procedures, under review at the Ministry of Justice for a legal opinion,” the office said in a statement.
“Only upon completion of that process will President Herzog consider the request in accordance with the law, the best interests of the State of Israel, guided by his conscience, and without any influence from external or internal pressures of any kind,” it added.
The statement further said that Herzog “deeply appreciates President Trump for his significant contribution to the State of Israel and its security.”
“Israel is a sovereign state governed by the rule of law. Contrary to the impression created by President Trump’s remarks, President Herzog has not yet made any decision on this matter,” it added.
A day after meeting with Netanyahu, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office: "You have a president who refuses to give him a pardon. He should be ashamed of himself. The president's got the power to give pardons. He doesn't want to do it, because I guess he loses his power. I think the people of Israel should really shame him. He is disgraceful for not giving it.”
Trump also sent a letter to Herzog in November 2025 urging him to pardon Netanyahu, who is on trial in corruption cases.
Despite previously saying he would not seek a pardon, Netanyahu formally submitted a pardon request on Nov. 30 last year, seeking relief from the corruption charges without admitting wrongdoing or withdrawing from public life.
Since the trial began, Netanyahu has consistently denied all allegations. Under Israeli law, however, a presidential pardon can only be granted following an admission of guilt.
Beyond the domestic proceedings, Netanyahu is also facing international legal scrutiny. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him over war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza, where more than 71,000 people have been killed, mostly women and children, and over 171,000 others injured in a brutal assault since October 2023.