Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial began in 2020 and has not yet concluded – but Donald Trump said it was time to let him “unite Israel by pardoning him”.

Donald Trump has sent a letter to the Israeli president urging him to “fully pardon” Benjamin Netanyahu in his long-running corruption trial.

The US president told Isaac Herzog his prime minister had “stood tall for Israel in the face of strong adversaries” and Mr Netanyahu’s “attention cannot be unnecessarily diverted”.

Mr Netanyahu’s trial, which began in 2020, has not yet concluded. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include bribery and fraud.

He was indicted in 2019 in three cases, including allegations of receiving nearly 700,000 shekels (£166,500) in gifts from business representatives.

In the letter, Mr Trump wrote that he “absolutely respects the independence of the Israeli Justice System, and its requirements”.

But he added that he believed “this ‘case’ against Bibi” – a nickname for Mr Netanyahu – “who has fought alongside me for a long time, including against the very tough adversary of Israel, Iran, is a political, unjustified prosecution”.

He said Mr Netanyahu was “now leading Israel into a time of peace” and it was time to let him “unite Israel by pardoning him”.

In response, Mr Herzog’s office said anyone seeking a presidential pardon “must submit a formal request in accordance with the established procedures”.

Read More: Trump asks Israeli president to ‘fully pardon’ Netanyahu in corruption trial