A growing political storm is gathering around Israel’s presidency as public pressure from Washington collides with sensitive legal and constitutional procedures in Jerusalem.

Israeli President Yitzchak Herzog’s office said Thursday that PM Netanyahu’s formal request for a pardon is still under review. The statement came in response to President Trump’s comments earlier in the day, in which he said Herzog should be “ashamed of himself” for not pardoning the embattled prime minister.

“To clarify, the prime minister’s request is currently under review at the Israeli Justice Ministry for a legal opinion in accordance with the established procedures,” Herzog’s statement said, noting that the Israeli president was returning from an official visit to Australia.

“Only upon completion of that process, will President Herzog consider the request in accordance with the law, the best interests of the State of Israel, guided by his conscience, and without any influence from external or internal pressures of any kind,” it added.

The carefully worded response appeared aimed at pushing back against Trump’s increasingly vocal campaign, while reaffirming Herzog’s commitment to legal norms and institutional independence.

At the same time, the statement struck a conciliatory tone toward Washington.

“President Herzog deeply appreciates President Trump for his significant contribution to the State of Israel and its security,” the office said.

But it also emphasized Israel’s sovereignty and legal framework.

“Israel is a sovereign state governed by the rule of law,” the statement continued. “Contrary to the impression created by President Trump’s remarks, President Herzog has not yet made any decision on this matter.”

Trump has waged a highly public and sustained effort to pressure Herzog into granting Netanyahu a pardon, turning what is traditionally a discreet legal process into an international political issue.

In October, Trump went so far as to raise the issue in an address to the Knesset, urging Herzog to act.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)