Israel’s Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara said Sunday that she has not yet examined a reported pardon request for Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, clarifying that any such request would be reviewed according to standard procedures.

Her statement comes amid heightened tensions following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who publicly criticized Israeli President Isaac Herzog over the issue of a potential pardon for Netanyahu.

In a statement issued on her behalf, Baharav-Miara said: “I have not yet examined the prime minister’s pardon request, and it will be reviewed according to the accepted working procedures. Any other publication on the matter is incorrect.”

The attorney general reportedly felt compelled to release the clarification following media reports suggesting she was expected to submit a legal opinion on the matter in the coming weeks.

The controversy erupted after Trump, speaking to reporters outside the White House, was asked whether he believed Netanyahu would receive a pardon. Trump responded affirmatively. Over the weekend, he sharply criticized Herzog, saying, “President Herzog should be ashamed,” and called on him to grant Netanyahu a pardon.

According to reports, anger flared at the President’s Residence following Trump’s remarks. Sources close to Herzog said that “if Netanyahu’s hand is involved in this — that is crossing a red line. We expect clarifications from the prime minister.” Officials at the President’s Residence reportedly view the episode not only as a personal affront to Herzog but also as a serious breach of Israel’s sovereign standing.

In response, Netanyahu’s office said overnight that “President Trump’s statement the other day regarding the pardon was solely his own initiative.”

The Prime Minister’s Office added: “The prime minister heard about it through the media and had no prior knowledge of it, just as he had no prior knowledge of the president’s remarks on the matter in his speech to the Knesset.”

During a press conference at the White House, Trump said of Herzog: “I think the man should be ashamed of himself,” referring to the absence of a pardon for Netanyahu.

Trump also asserted that “the President of Israel, the main power he has is the power to grant pardons, and he doesn’t… he doesn’t want to do it now because he will probably lose his power.”

He continued: “Bibi was a good prime minister during wartime, and I think I was the best friend Israel ever had. People say beyond other presidents they ever had.”

{Matzav.com}