By SCM Staff Writer in Jerusalem
JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dramatically rejected a suggested pardon offer from US President Donald Trump, declaring he will “certainly won’t” accept it if it means admitting guilt in his ongoing corruption trial.
The defiant PM, who is fighting charges of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust, insisted his “integrity is intact” and slammed the legal proceedings against him as “politicised and unjust.”
Speaking in an interview with Australian TV host Erin Molan on Thursday, Netanyahu confirmed he appreciated President Trump’s letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, which urged a pardon for the embattled leader.
But while grateful for the US President’s intervention, Netanyahu drew a firm line in the sand, stating, “Nobody suggests I would accept a pardon, and I certainly won’t.”
He added: “I will not admit guilt – that will not happen. I am grateful for the gesture, but my integrity is intact.”
Netanyahu has already entered a plea of not guilty to the charges, which include allegations of accepting expensive gifts and offering regulatory favours in exchange for positive media coverage.
The matter of a pardon was raised after President Trump reportedly wrote to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who holds the constitutional power to grant pardons.
However, any such request would first have to come from Mr. Netanyahu himself or a member of his immediate family.
Netanyahu’s refusal to consider the option signals his determination to fight the charges in court, even if it means foregoing a potential early exit from the long-running legal battle.
