Trump writes to the Israeli President urging the exercise of legal pardon powers over Netanyahu

Gold Ten Data, November 12th: According to U.S. media reports, U.S. President Donald Trump has written to Israeli President Isaac Herzog urging him to exercise his legal pardon authority for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Although Trump previously called for Netanyahu’s pardon, including during a speech to the Israeli Knesset last month, this is the first known letter he has sent to Herzog on this matter. Retired Israeli law professor Frances Raday (who has litigated before the Israeli Supreme Court) stated, “This shows great disrespect for the Israeli judicial system.” Netanyahu—Israel’s longest-serving leader—will need to call elections next year. According to Israeli law, if a prime minister is convicted of crimes involving “moral turpitude” and all appeals are exhausted, his term will automatically end. The government will then become a caretaker government until a new government is sworn in.