Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted he will not push for a pardon or concede guilt in his long-running corruption trial, less than a day after thanking Donald Trump for urging Israel's president to clear his record.

On Wednesday it was revealed the US president had written to Israel's President Isaac Herzog to support Mr Netanyahu , arguing the prosecution against the prime minister was politically motivated.

"It is time to let Bibi [Benjamin Netanyahu] unite Israel by pardoning him, and ending that lawfare once and for all," Mr Trump wrote.

The US president made the case for Mr Herzog to use his powers to pardon Mr Netanyahu, prompting the prime minister to express his gratitude for the extraordinary intervention. Loading Twitter content

Mr Netanyahu struck a

See Full Page