AJA urges Herzog to pardon Netanyahu

The Australian Jewish Association (AJA) has written to Israeli President Isaac Herzog urging him to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, echoing a similar request made by US President Donald Trump.

AJA CEO Robert Gregory sent the letter on Wednesday, the same day Herzog announced he had received Trump’s letter asking for Netanyahu to be pardoned amid what Trump described as an “unjustified” trial.

The letter made clear that “Israeli political and legal matters will ultimately be for the Israeli people to decide” but detailed “the impacts being felt in the diaspora and growing concern among our community”.

“On behalf of the Australian Jewish Association, I write to you with deep respect and earnest concern and urge you to exercise your constitutional power to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,” Gregory wrote.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu has served the State of Israel at a time of unprecedented challenge and threat. His leadership has helped safeguard Israel’s security and the continuance of the Jewish homeland. The ongoing legal process has divided Israeli society and risked undermining the unity and morale of the nation. This disunity is spreading to the Jewish diaspora, which is itself confronting major challenges amid surging antisemitism.”

The AJA letter said Australian politicians and other leaders often express disbelief at Netanyahu’s legal situation.

“A timely pardon would allow Israel to move forward, confront greater existential challenges, and restore trust in national leadership. It would demonstrate resolve and a forward-looking stance consistent with the demands of a democratic society under siege,” the letter said.

The AJN understands Gregory drafted the letter some time ago, intending for it to be delivered to Israel’s President in person at the World Zionist Congress. However, a last-minute rescheduling of the meeting with Herzog prevented the delivery.

Trump’s letter, received by Herzog on Wednesday morning, stated, “I hereby call on you to fully pardon Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been a formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister, and is now leading Israel into a time of peace.”

Trump wrote that while he respected “the independence of the Israeli Justice System”, the case against Netanyahu was a “political, unjustified prosecution”.

“Now that we have achieved these unprecedented successes, and are keeping Hamas in check, it is time to let Bibi unite Israel by pardoning him, and ending that lawfare once and for all,” Trump wrote.

Netanyahu, testifying in his trial on Wednesday, appeared to reference Trump’s request, telling prosecutors their charges were absurd. “All the world leaders are amazed, and I’m not exaggerating,” he said, according to Ynet.

Netanyahu later thanked Trump for his “incredible support”. “As usual, you get right to the point and call it like it is. I look forward to continuing our partnership to bolster security and expand peace,” Netanyahu wrote on social media.

Netanyahu is charged with one count of bribery, as well as three counts each of fraud and breach of trust, in three separate cases relating to corruption allegations against him. His trial began in 2020 and is still far from reaching an end.

Herzog declined to take a position on Trump’s request, with his office saying, “Without detracting from the above, as the president has made clear on multiple occasions, anyone seeking a pardon must submit a formal request in accordance with the established procedures.”

WITH TIMES OF ISRAEL