Trump Calls for Netanyahu Pardon During Unscripted Israel Parliament Speech Over Corruption Charges

Netanyahu has consistently maintained his innocence regarding all three corruption cases under investigation.

During his address to the Israeli parliament on Monday, US President Donald Trump veered from his prepared remarks to suggest that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should receive a pardon for his ongoing corruption trials.

In one particular case, Netanyahu and his wife Sara stand accused of accepting luxury gifts including cigars, jewelry, and champagne valued at over $260,000 from wealthy benefactors in exchange for political favors.

"Cigars and champagne, who the hell cares about that?" Trump remarked lightheartedly, while praising Netanyahu as one of Israel's greatest wartime leaders.

Addressing Israeli President Isaac Herzog directly, Trump improvised: "Hey, I have an idea, Mr President. Why don't you give him a pardon?"

Trump then acknowledged his spontaneous comment, saying, "By the way, that was not in the speech, as you probably know. But I happen to like this gentleman right over here," gesturing toward Netanyahu.

The Israeli Prime Minister has firmly denied any wrongdoing across all three court cases, while his supporters have consistently characterized the prolonged trials as politically motivated.

Beyond the gifts scandal, Netanyahu faces allegations in two additional cases involving attempts to secure more favorable media coverage from Israeli news outlets.

During his current administration that began in late 2022, Netanyahu proposed extensive judicial reforms that critics argued would undermine the courts' authority.

These proposals sparked massive public protests that only subsided when the Gaza war commenced.

The Israeli leader also currently faces an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on suspicion of ordering war crimes during his government's military campaign against Hamas militants in Gaza.

Although Trump, a longtime vocal supporter of Netanyahu, did not mention the international case during his Knesset speech, the US has previously condemned the ICC warrant and imposed sanctions on certain ICC personnel.

In June, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform characterizing Netanyahu's trials as a "political witch hunt" that was "very similar to the witch hunt that I was forced to endure."

Trump has consistently accused his political opponents of weaponizing the Justice Department against him during his time out of office.