It drew an ecstatic burst of applause from the Israeli prime minister’s Likud lawmakers and other supporters in the Knesset, who giddily chanted Netanyahu’s nickname: “Bibi! Bibi!”
Trump added: “Cigars and Champagne, who the hell cares about that? Alright, enough controversy for the day, I don’t think it’s that controversial.”
The remarks underscored Trump’s willingness to wade into Israel’s internal affairs — and to do so in characteristically provocative and undiplomatic fashion to help out an ally.
And, yes, it absolutely would prove controversial in Israel if Herzog attempted to do any such thing — and Trump’s public appeal struck more traditionally minded Israelis as shocking.
This isn’t the first time Trump has called for Netanyahu to be pardoned ahead of a trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust, including receiving extravagant gifts, among them cigars and Champagne. The Israeli prime minister was indicted in 2019, with some of the investigations that gave rise to the charges going back to 2015.
The case has been delayed time and again because of legal maneuvers by Netanyahu and his lawyers, as well as because of security and diplomatic concerns during the Gaza War.