(NewsNation) — President Donald Trump sent a letter on Wednesday to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, urging him to consider granting a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a long-running corruption trial.

“As the Great State of Israel and the amazing Jewish People move past the terribly difficult times of the last three years, I hereby call on you to fully pardon Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been a formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister, and is now leading Israel into a time of peace,” Trump wrote.

Additionally, Trump said that Netanyahu has “stood tall for Israel in the face of strong adversaries” and “his attention cannot be unnecessarily diverted.”

“While I absolutely respect the Independence of the Israeli Justice System, and its requirements, I believe that this ‘case’ against Bibi, who has fought alongside me for a long time, including against the very tough adversary of Israel, Iran, is a political, unjustified prosecution,” Trump wrote.

Trump previously called for a pardon for Netanyahu during a speech to Israel’s parliament last month, during a brief visit to promote his ceasefire plan for the war in Gaza. He received a standing ovation from Netanyahu’s allies in parliament.

Netanyahu is standing trial for charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three different cases that have stretched out for more than four years. He is the only sitting prime minister in Israeli history to stand trial.

Netanyahu rejects the allegations and has condemned the case as a “witch hunt” orchestrated by the media, police, and judiciary. He has taken the stand multiple times over the past year. Still, the case has been repeatedly delayed as he has dealt with wars and unrest stemming from Hamas-led militant attacks of October 2023.

Israel’s presidency is largely ceremonial, but the president has the authority to grant pardons.

Herzog acknowledged receiving Trump’s letter, but said that anyone seeking a presidential pardon must submit a formal request. Herzog has declined to say how he would respond to a request by Netanyahu, saying publicly only that he believes the trial has been a distraction and source of division for the country and that he would prefer to see Netanyahu and the prosecution reach a settlement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.