Trump Asks for Netanyahu Pardon: Allies in Impunity
Donald Trump, facing his own indictments, reportedly requested the Israeli government pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from his corruption charges. The former US President, who received substantial financial backing from pro-Israel donors like Sheldon Adelson during his campaigns (Adelson contributed $25 million to Trump's 2020 campaign alone, per OpenSecrets.org), seemingly views
international diplomatic norms as 'suggestions.' This isn't just about personal loyalty; it's about a transactional political ecosystem where mutual protection is the highest form of flattery. The media portrays this as a 'leak' from the Trump administration, conveniently sidestepping the broader implications of US political figures consistently intervening in the legal affairs of Israeli
leadership. One might wonder if the concern for justice only extends so far as it doesn't inconvenience a powerful ally or a political career. The 'special relationship' appears to be less about shared democratic values and more about shared immunity from accountability.