Associates of Israeli President Isaac Herzog have publicly stated that US President Donald Trump's recent comments regarding a potential pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are damaging to Israel's sovereignty. A source in Herzog's circle emphasized that they expect clarifications from Netanyahu following Trump's remarks. This response follows Trump's statement where he criticized Herzog for not granting the pardon, implying that Herzog is prioritizing his power over supporting Netanyahu, which Trump claims to be a betrayal of the Israeli public's expectations.

Two days prior, Trump stated that Herzog should be ashamed of himself for not issuing a pardon to Netanyahu and mentioned that Herzog had previously promised to grant it multiple times. Trump's comments included urging Israeli citizens to express their disappointment in Herzog, suggesting that this situation not only affects political relations but resonates with the general public’s sentiment towards their leadership. There is clearly tension between Israeli leadership and Trump's expectations, which may complicate diplomatic relations between the two nations going forward.

In light of Trump's provocative statements, Herzog's office responded by clarifying that no decision regarding the pardon has been made. They noted that while Netanyahu's request is under consideration, the insinuations from Trump are misplaced and damaging. The ongoing dialogue surrounding Netanyahu's legal issues and the potential for a pardon remains a contentious topic, as it intertwines with national sovereignty and internal political dynamics within Israel.