Media: Netanyahu sought Trump’s backing for pardon bid during phone call

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked US President Donald Trump for further support in his effort to secure a pardon from Israel’s president during a phone call on December 2, according to two US officials and one Israeli official.

The lengthy conversation focused mainly on the conflicts in Gaza and Syria, but also touched on Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial — a case Trump has previously criticised and called politically motivated, Caliber.Az reports per Axios.

Last month, Trump sent a formal letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, calling the charges against Netanyahu “political lawfare” and urging him to consider granting a pardon.

On November 30, Netanyahu submitted an official request to President Herzog, arguing that a pardon would allow him to concentrate fully on national security issues and regional peace efforts.

President Herzog said he would consider the request after receiving the necessary legal opinions, a process that could take up to two months.

According to US officials, Netanyahu used a call to ask Trump to continue backing his efforts. One official said the US president believed the pardon “would work out”, but did not commit to further action. Another official commented that Trump had “done all he can do”.

An Israeli official, however, claimed Trump was the one who raised the subject, and said both leaders had agreed to continue discussing it.

The call also addressed tensions in Gaza. Trump reportedly urged Netanyahu to become “a better partner” in implementing the peace agreement. The US had previously explored an arrangement in which Hamas fighters trapped in tunnels could surrender in exchange for amnesty, seeing it as a possible route towards disarmament. Netanyahu, according to officials, expressed scepticism, describing the militants as “armed and dangerous”.

Discussion then moved to Syria, where Trump advised caution and urged Israel not to take actions that could further inflame the situation. The call took place just days after Israeli air strikes in Syria killed 13 people, prompting strong condemnation from Damascus.

A US official said Trump emphasised that Syria’s new leadership was attempting to stabilise the country. Following the conversation, Netanyahu appeared to soften his stance, stating on December 2 that a deal with Syria could be possible if Israel’s security demands were met.

By Aghakazim Guliyev