What's happened
On November 12, 2025, former US President Donald Trump sent a letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog urging a full pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling the ongoing corruption trial politically motivated. Herzog's office responded that any pardon request must follow formal procedures, and Netanyahu or his family have yet to submit such a request. Netanyahu denies wrongdoing amid a trial that began in 2020. Separately, Israel has appealed to the International Criminal Court to disqualify ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan over sexual misconduct allegations, challenging his arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes.
What's behind the headline?
Political and Legal Crosscurrents
The intertwining of Netanyahu's domestic corruption trial with international legal challenges at the ICC highlights the complex pressures facing Israeli leadership. Trump's intervention by urging a pardon is a strategic move to shield Netanyahu, framing the trial as politically motivated and potentially undermining judicial independence in Israel. Herzog's insistence on formal pardon procedures underscores the constitutional limits and the ceremonial nature of his role, maintaining a delicate balance amid political pressures.
ICC's Role and Khan's Controversy
The Israeli government's appeal to disqualify ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, citing sexual misconduct allegations, is a tactical effort to delegitimize the ICC's war crimes investigation. This move aims to stall or derail international scrutiny of Israel's military actions in Gaza. Khan's leave amid investigations complicates the ICC's proceedings but does not automatically invalidate the arrest warrants.
Broader Implications
This saga reflects broader geopolitical dynamics: Trump's continued influence in Israeli politics, the contentious nature of international law enforcement, and the domestic polarization within Israel. Netanyahu's legal battles and the ICC's actions will shape Israel's political stability and international relations. The trial's prolongation into 2027 and ongoing ICC challenges suggest sustained legal and political uncertainty.
Forecast
Netanyahu will likely continue to leverage international allies like Trump to bolster his position domestically. The ICC's legal processes will face delays but remain a significant pressure point. Herzog's cautious stance signals no immediate pardon, preserving judicial norms. The Israeli public and political factions will remain deeply divided, with the trial and ICC cases influencing electoral and policy debates.
What the papers say
Donald Trump's letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, reported by Al Jazeera's Ali Harb, frames Netanyahu as a "formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister" and calls the corruption trial a "political, unjustified prosecution." Herzog's office, cited by The Times of Israel and Sky News, emphasized that any pardon must follow formal procedures, noting no formal request has been made. The Times of Israel detailed Netanyahu's ongoing trial since 2020 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, with the prime minister denying all allegations.
Separately, The New Arab and The Times of Israel reported Israel's appeal to the ICC to disqualify Prosecutor Karim Khan, who requested arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant for alleged war crimes. Khan is on leave amid sexual misconduct investigations, which Israel claims undermine his impartiality. The ICC confirmed receipt of Israel's request but provided no further comment. This legal challenge is part of Israel's broader effort to contest ICC jurisdiction over its actions in Gaza.
France 24 and SBS highlighted Trump's repeated public calls for Netanyahu's pardon, including a speech to the Israeli parliament and a formal letter to Herzog. Opposition voices in Israel, as reported by The Times of Israel, criticize Netanyahu's reliance on foreign intervention for legal relief, underscoring domestic political tensions. The Independent provides detailed context on the corruption charges and Netanyahu's defense, while Reuters summarizes the political and legal stakes involved.
How we got here
Benjamin Netanyahu has been on trial since 2020 for corruption charges including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. The trial has been politically divisive in Israel. Meanwhile, the ICC issued arrest warrants in 2024 against Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes during the 2023 Gaza conflict. ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, currently on leave amid sexual misconduct investigations, requested these warrants. The Israeli government contests the ICC's jurisdiction and Khan's involvement.
Go deeper
- What are the main corruption charges against Netanyahu?
- How does the ICC's arrest warrant affect Netanyahu's political future?
- What is the process for an Israeli presidential pardon?
Common question
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More on these topics
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Isaac 'Bougie' Herzog is an Israeli politician. He served as a member of the Knesset between 2003 and 2018 and held several ministerial posts, including Minister of Welfare and Social Services.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Yoav Galant is an Israeli politician and former commander of the Southern Command in the Israel Defense Forces. In January 2015, he entered politics, joining the new Kulanu party.