Trump calls Israel’s president ‘disgraceful’ for not pardoning Netanyahu
In February 2026, US President Donald Trump publicly criticized Israeli President Isaac Herzog for not pardoning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces bribery charges. Trump called Herzog "disgraceful" and urged Israelis to pressure him for clemency. These comments follow a White House meeting between Trump and Netanyahu, their seventh since Trump returned to power. Netanyahu's trial, which began in 2020, has been disrupted by regional events. The US has previously requested Herzog pardon Netanyahu, but Trump's recent rebuke signals a more direct intervention in Israeli domestic politics, highlighting the close relationship between the two leaders. The accusations against Netanyahu involve receiving gifts and discussing favorable media coverage.