BURSTPresident Trump said early Tuesday morning he was inspired to advocate for a pardon on behalf of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Israeli legislators cheered in support of the leader following the successful release of hostages held by Hamas.
“I told [Netanyahu] I didn’t want to bring up the pardon, but it was just a perfect spot. It was good timing, wouldn’t you say?” Trump said during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One.
“He was getting a very good hand [round of applause], and when they stopped I said, ‘Why don’t you give this guy a pardon?’ If he didn’t get a good hand, I wouldn’t have done that,” he added about his remarks before the Knesset in Israel.
Trump, during a Monday speech to the legislature, turned to Israeli president Isaac Herzog and requested Netanyahu be pardoned from bribery, fraud and breach of trust charges.
“Mr. President, why don’t you give him a pardon,” Trump said from the podium, turning to Herzog.
“Cigars and some champagne — who the hell cares?” Trump quipped, poking fun at the details surrounding Netanyahu allegedly accepting bribes in luxury goods in exchange for political favors.
Netanyahu has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has frequently rescheduled hearings for the three cases due to conflicts with his schedule amid the Israel-Hamas war.
The Israeli prime minister is set to appear before the high court on Wednesday to take the stand for cross-examination, according to The Jerusalem Post.
His trial has taken more than five years to proceed. It began in May 2020 but has faced several delays. Critics argue Netanyahu escalated Israel's war in Gaza was a way to avoid trial.
Trump has long maintained that the trial was "politically motivated."
“I just learned that Bibi has been summoned to Court on Monday for the continuation of this long running, (He has been going through this “Horror Show” since May of 2020 – Unheard of! This is the first time a sitting Israeli Prime Minister has ever been on trial.), politically motivated case, ‘concerning cigars, a Bugs Bunny doll, and numerous other unfair charges’ in order to do him great harm,” Trump wrote in a June Truth Social post.
“Such a WITCH HUNT, for a man who has given so much, is unthinkable to me. He deserves much better than this, and so does the State of Israel. Bibi Netanyahu’s trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero,” he added.