The verbal attack of American President Donald Trump against Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog is causing tension in Israel, DPA reported.
Trump told reporters at the White House that Herzog is "dishonest" and should be "ashamed of himself" because he has not yet pardoned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is accused of corruption. The Israeli prime minister has been on trial for over five years. He is accused of fraud, breach of trust and bribery, DPA recalls.
Trump now said that Netanyahu achieved exceptional results during the war.
The Israeli president's office then clarified that Herzog had not yet made a decision on the pardon, contrary to Trump's claims. The application, which Netanyahu submitted in November, is still being considered by the Justice Ministry in accordance with established procedures, the statement said. Only after this process is completed will Herzog consider the request "in accordance with the law, in the best interests of the State of Israel, guided by his conscience and free from any external or internal pressure," his office said.
Herzog deeply appreciates Trump's support for the Jewish state, but Israel is a sovereign state governed by the rule of law, his office said.
Shortly before Trump's attack on Herzog, the US president met with Netanyahu at the White House. According to media reports, Herzog's office demanded an explanation as to whether Netanyahu had encouraged Trump in his statements against the Israeli president.
Sources close to Netanyahu said that Trump's request for clemency was entirely at the initiative of the US president himself. "The prime minister learned about this from the media and did not know anything in advance," they said.
Netanyahu officially requested a pardon from Herzog in a letter.
Trump has repeatedly urged Herzog to pardon Netanyahu, DPA noted.