“President Herzog holds President Trump in the highest esteem and reiterates his deep appreciation for his unwavering support for Israel,” the Israeli president's office stated in a press release published on its official channels.

“However, and not withstanding the foregoing,” it continued, “as the Presidency has made clear at all times, anyone wishing to obtain a presidential pardon must submit a formal application in accordance with established procedures.”

For his part, the leader Yair Lapid, a leading figure in the Israeli opposition, said Wednesday that Netanyahu should “admit guilt” and express remorse as a precondition for any pardon.

“Reminder: Israeli law states that the first condition for receiving a pardon is admitting guilt and expressing remorse for the actions committed,” Lapid said on bribery agreement between Netanyahu and businessman Shaul Elovich, who controlled the telecommunications company Bezeq and the website Walla News and who benefited financially in exchange for favorable coverage.

“While I absolutely respect the independence of the Israeli judicial system and its requirements, “I believe this 'case' against Bibi is an unjustified political persecution,” the US president stated in his letter to Herzog.

Trump had already asked Herzog to pardon Netanyahu during his speech in the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) on October 13, during his visit to Israel after the Israeli government and the Islamist group Hamas accepted his peace plan.

“Why don't you pardon Netanyahu?” Trump asked Herzog at the time in front of the parliamentarians.

Netanyahu insists on a “witch hunt” and a “deep state” plot

The Israeli prime minister is scheduled to testify this Tuesday, according to an announcement on the court's website, in accordance with the trial's weekly schedule, which requires the prime minister to appear three times a week.

It is not uncommon for the The prime minister has requested the postponement of the trial since it began in 2024. On most occasions, he has cited the military offensive by his troops against the Gaza Strip—now under a theoretical ceasefire—to justify his absences. Netanyahu, who maintains that the trial against him is a “witch hunt” and a plot by the “deep state,” is the first head of government in Israeli history to be pursued while in office.