Pro-Israel leadership unity grows as Washington supports Netanyahu against political distractions during critical regional conflict.
US President Donald Trump expressed strong support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an interview with Libby Alon of Channel 14 News on Sunday, once again calling for a presidential pardon that would remove legal distractions while Israel confronts escalating regional threats.
When asked whether he was concerned about Israel’s judicial system and whether he was considering sanctions against senior legal officials such as the Attorney General or the President of the Supreme Court, Trump responded cautiously but made his position clear. He stated that he strongly supports Netanyahu and wants the Israeli leader focused entirely on the strategic fight against Iran rather than internal political battles.
Trump was also asked whether there was a possibility of diplomatic progress between Israel and Qatar and whether Qatar might reconsider its long-standing support for Hamas. The US President said that anything remains possible and noted that Qatar has been helpful in certain situations, suggesting that diplomatic shifts could still occur.
The interview followed Trump’s sharp criticism of Israeli President Isaac Herzog in recent days. In an earlier interview, Trump accused Herzog of delaying the decision to grant a pardon to Netanyahu and argued that the issue has been unnecessarily hanging over the Israeli leader for too long.
Trump insisted that the Israeli President should immediately grant the pardon, arguing that Netanyahu should be fully focused on confronting Iran and strengthening Israel’s security rather than dealing with domestic legal pressures. He claimed that Herzog had previously indicated he would grant the pardon but had not acted on the matter.
In response to Trump’s remarks, Herzog clarified in an interview with Fox News that any decision regarding a presidential pardon must strictly follow Israeli legal procedures. He explained that he is required to wait for the relevant legal opinions and recommendations before making any determination.
Herzog emphasized that he holds great respect for Trump and appreciates his historic support for Israel, but stressed that the issue is an internal Israeli legal matter. He reiterated that while the possibility of a pardon remains under consideration, any decision must be made within the framework of Israeli law and the responsibilities of the presidency.
