Herzog on Trump request: Netanyahu pardon an internal 'Israeli' matter

• Herzog stresses 'Israel’s' sovereignty as Netanyahu seeks preemptive pardon amid U.S. pressure.

'Israeli' President Isaac Herzog is facing a high-stakes decision as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks a preemptive pardon in the middle of his corruption trial, a request that has drawn public pressure from both domestic and international figures, including U.S. President Donald Trump.

Herzog, speaking in an interview with Politico, emphasized 'Israel’s' sovereignty in responding to external pressure. “I respect President Trump’s friendship and his opinion,” Herzog said, before adding, “Israel, naturally, is a sovereign country.”

After Netanyahu formally submitted his request, Herzog reiterated that he would act only in “the best interest of the Israeli people.”

The president, who is set to receive an honorary doctorate at Yeshiva University this weekend, also addressed broader U.S.-'Israel' relations, noting concern over growing skepticism toward 'Israel' among young Americans.

“It comes from TikTok, from a very shallow discourse of the current situation, pictures or viewpoints, and doesn’t judge from the big picture, which is, is Israel a strategic ally? Yes. Is Israel contributing to American national interests, security interests? Absolutely yes. Is Israel a beacon of democracy in the Middle East? Absolutely yes.”

On the situation in Gaza, Herzog acknowledged the human toll of the genocide but defended 'Israel’s' position. “The issue is that we are faced by a very aggressive PR [machine], which is also supported by allies of Hamas, which is over-inflated around the world. And I keep on saying, what I regret mostly, and what really aches, is the pain of innocent civilians in Gaza who are going through this hell whilst there is a future in their hands.”

Herzog also spoke on the need for removing resistance from Gaza to enable reconstruction efforts, pointing to international support via the U.N. Security Council. “We all supported rebuilding Gaza, but in order to rebuild Gaza, you have to get the mob out of the city. We have to get the terrorists out of the city.”

The interview, conducted after Trump publicly urged Herzog to consider pardoning Netanyahu but before Netanyahu formally requested one.