Donald Trump Has Crossed A Red Line |
Being the president of the United States, the world’s preeminent superpower, Donald Trump acts as if he can arbitrarily impose his views or diktats on whatever nation he fancies. Since his inaugural more than a year ago, he has pressured Canada to relinquish its sovereignty and join the American union as the 51st state and pushed Denmark to give up its colonial ownership of Greenland.
Most recently, he has urged Isaac Herzog, the president of Israel, to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been on trial for the past five years, charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate but interlocking cases.
Last week, Trump called Herzog “disgraceful” for not having pardoned Netanyahu. “He should be ashamed of himself,” he said. And in another insulting reference to Herzog, Trump added, “The people of Israel should really shame him.”
Netanyahu’s office unconvincingly claimed he had no advance knowledge of Trump’s request.
This was actually the third time Trump has issued what can only be described as an inappropriate demand.
Last October, during a speech in the Knesset, Trump turned toward Herzog and said shamelessly, “Mr. President, why don’t you give him a pardon?” A month later, Trump wrote Herzog a letter in which he made an identical request.
Shortly afterward, Netanyahu formally requested a pardon from Herzog.
Trump’s campaign on behalf of Netanyahu is nothing less than gross interference in the affairs of a foreign nation. While Israel is the United States’ closest ally in the Middle East, Trump has no right whatsoever to stick his nose into an ongoing Israeli court case.
Israel is not a US colony or protectorate, though it relies on American political and military assistance to fend off enemies.
Trump, due to his pro-Israel record, apparently thinks he can do whatever he pleases. During his first term, he moved the US embassy to Jerusalem and recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Last June, much to the satisfaction of Israel, he ordered the bombardment of three of Iran’s uranium enrichment sites toward the end of Israel’s 12-day war with Iran.
Neither Trump’s pro-Israel actions, nor his position as a supremely powerful politician, endow him with the right to lean on Herzog to exonerate Netanyahu.
Trump’s pressure tactic has doubtless embarrassed Herzog. Responding to his latest plea for a pardon, Herzog expressed appreciation for Trump’s “significant contribution” to Israel’s security. But in the same breath, he correctly reminded him that Israel is “a sovereign state governed by the rule of law.”
What this means is clear. A presidential pardon can only be issued if Netanyahu is convicted of corruption. Since he is still on trial, a preemptive pardon would violate Israeli law.
As Herzog noted in his statement, he and his office are still reviewing this issue. “Only upon completion of that process will President Herzog consider (Trump’s) request in accordance with the law, the best interests of the State of Israel, guided by his conscience, and without external or internal pressure of any kind.”
It is obvious that only Herzog and his advisors can resolve this issue. Trump should distance himself from it once and for all.
Trump’s interference in Israel’s internal affairs is troubling, unacceptable and, perhaps, unprecedented. He has crossed a red line that should not have been traversed.