President Trump publicly urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of his bribery charges in an off-script moment during his triumphant speech to the Knesset Monday.
President Trump publicly urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of his bribery charges in a stunning off-script moment during his triumphant speech to the Knesset on Monday.
“Hey, I have an idea. Mr. President, why don’t you give him a pardon? Give him a pardon,” Trump said during his rousing address to the Israeli parliament, triggering big applause.
“By the way, that wasn’t in the speech, as you probably know, but I happen to like this gentleman right over here,” Trump continued.
“It just seems to make so much sense. You know whether we like it or not, this has been one of the greatest wartime [leaders].”
“And cigars and champagne, who the hell cares about that?”
Netanyahu, the longest-serving prime minister in Israeli history, had been indicted in 2019 on charges of breach of trust, bribery and fraud.
The charges revolve around three cases and include accusations that the PM and his wife reaped lavish gifts such as champagne and cigars from the wealthy Israeli elite.
