Key Facts
- ✓ Herzog's office says the pair never spoke about the pardon.
- ✓ Herzog gave a Trump representative an explanation on 'the stage of the process'.
- ✓ The pardon request was submitted a month ago.
Quick Summary
Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently asserted that Israeli President Isaac Herzog informed him that a pardon for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was imminent. Herzog's office has since issued a denial regarding this specific claim.
The Israeli presidency clarified that the two leaders did not speak directly about the matter. Instead, President Herzog provided an explanation on the 'stage of the process' to a representative of Trump. This explanation was given after a pardon request was submitted a month prior to the discussion.
Trump's Assertion
Former President Donald Trump claimed that Israeli President Isaac Herzog told him a pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was 'on its way.' This statement suggested a high-level discussion regarding the legal status of the Israeli leader.
The claim implied a direct conversation between the two leaders regarding the potential clemency. Trump's remarks positioned the pardon as a matter already in motion, pending confirmation from the Israeli presidency.
Herzog's Office Responds
The office of President Isaac Herzog issued a firm denial regarding Donald Trump's statements. Officials stated clearly that the pair never spoke about the pardon request.
According to the clarification, President Herzog did not communicate directly with Trump. Instead, Herzog provided information to a Trump representative regarding the 'stage of the process.' This communication occurred after a pardon request was submitted approximately one month ago.
Context of the Pardon Request
The discussion centers on a pardon request submitted on behalf of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The request was filed a month prior to the exchange between the U.S. and Israeli figures.
The nature of the request and the specific legal proceedings were addressed by the Israeli presidency only through back-channels. The clarification from Isaac Herzog's office indicates that the process is still in its early stages, rather than being finalized as claimed.
Conclusion
The conflicting accounts between Donald Trump and the Israeli presidency highlight the complexities of international political communication. While Trump claimed a direct assurance of a pardon for Benjamin Netanyahu, Isaac Herzog's office maintains that no such conversation took place.
Ultimately, the official record states that any information regarding the pardon's status was relayed to a representative, not to the former President directly. This distinction remains the key point of contention in the reported exchange.
