Podcast Summary

Piers Morgan Uncensored: "You're a Spokesman For TERRORISM" Netanyahu Asks For Pardon | Dave Smith vs Jonathan Conricus

Date: December 2, 2025

Episode Overview

This heated episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored centers on two major and interwoven controversies: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s formal request for a presidential pardon amidst ongoing corruption trials during the Gaza war, and the broader conduct and global scrutiny of Israeli military actions—especially in light of recent alleged extrajudicial killings and the ongoing media blackout in Gaza. Host Piers Morgan is joined by libertarian commentator Dave Smith and retired IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus. The conversation moves from Netanyahu’s political maneuvers and U.S. influence, to war crimes accusations, transparency failures, media access, and the weaponization of anti-Semitism allegations.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Netanyahu’s Request for a Pardon Amidst War

Timestamps: 00:05–09:54

• Context: Netanyahu, facing longstanding corruption charges, has formally asked Israeli President Isaac Herzog for a pardon. Many argue this is politically motivated and only possible because the Gaza war has delayed judicial proceedings.

  • Piers Morgan (01:21): “Netanyahu has now formally requested a pardon... Automatic absolution for his crimes would, he says, bring the country together in the national interest. The truth is that Israel is deeply divided...”

• Dave Smith criticizes the pardon as blatant self-preservation:

  • Dave Smith (02:16): “It’s just so indefensible and right in front of you… the context of this coming after two years and the destruction of Gaza and support for Israel absolutely collapsing around the world… For most people, Piers, when they think of the crimes of Benjamin Netanyahu, they’re thinking of the tens of thousands of babies that he’s murdered... now he’s going to say, oh, it’ll bring unity to Israel to absolve me of my crimes. Well, that’s awfully convenient…”

• Piers outlines the charges – bribery, fraud, and abuse of power — while emphasizing the “further abuse” inherent in seeking a pardon while in office (06:01).

• Jonathan Conricus acknowledges the unprecedented situation, admits it appears politically motivated, but expresses some trust in Israel’s judicial system:

  • Jonathan Conricus (07:38): “If someone wants a pardon, then there’s an established norm… accept responsibility, admit guilt… That isn’t what we’re seeing. What we’re seeing is… to apply pressure there and eventually to rid of something that definitely appears to be a quite burdensome nuisance… I actually have trust in my legal system.”
  • Piers Morgan/Conricus (09:18): They agree that no previous sitting prime minister has done this.

2. U.S. Influence and Trump’s Intervention

Timestamps: 09:22–10:42

• Piers and Smith discuss Donald Trump publicly urging for Netanyahu’s pardon, and speculate whether this emboldened Netanyahu’s request.
  • Dave Smith (09:54): “…it’s a pretty big deal when the president of the United States… inserts himself in their domestic politics like that. That is no small deal…”
  • Smith also references Trump’s donor connections and prior statements about Israel.

3. Pardons for “National Unity” and Government Accountability

Timestamps: 11:17–13:03

• Smith draws a parallel with Obama’s refusal to prosecute Bush-era officials for war crimes, arguing that failing to hold leaders accountable in the name of unity only sows further division:

  • Smith (11:46): "The only answer is to hold criminals in government accountable. That’s what actually brings national unity."

• Piers Morgan (13:03): "I would ban the pardon system in America… it’s an endorsement of crime."

4. Video Evidence of IDF Executions and Alleged War Crimes

Timestamps: 13:03–19:28

• Piers presents a recent viral video from Jenin, West Bank, appearing to show Israeli forces executing surrendered Palestinians—claiming this represents a prima facie war crime.

  • Morgan (13:03): “You can quite clearly see them surrendering… then executed… this seems like a prima facie war crime.”

• Conricus responds with conditional condemnation and promises investigation:

  • Conricus (14:32): “If indeed what we see in the video happened, then it is a dramatic deviation from anything that is acceptable… This type of behavior cannot be condoned… there will be consequences.”

• Morgan and Smith highlight an IDF spokesman’s misleading statement about the killings, and a far-right Israeli minister’s blanket endorsement (“terrorists must die”), pointing to a pattern of misinformation and impunity (17:02–19:28).

  • Smith (19:28): “…the way the IDF spokesmen and the highest ministers just lie through their teeth about it… when you won’t let the media in, it reasonably leads to a presumption of guilt.”

5. Media Blackout and Lack of Accountability

Timestamps: 19:28–27:15

• Morgan and Smith repeatedly argue that Israel's continued ban on independent international journalists in Gaza prevents independent verification of alleged war crimes.

  • Morgan (19:01): “…the international media remain banned from the ground in Gaza… outrageous… only when these videos come out, that it looks like they’re not the most moral army in the world at all.”

• Smith:

  • Smith (19:28): “It’s horrible enough, but then the way IDF spokesmen… just lie through their teeth about it like it’s… a whole lot we don’t know about.”

• Conricus deflects, arguing that Israel faces “unprecedented scrutiny” and is subject to double standards (23:10), but reiterates that if wrongdoing is found, justice will be done, referencing past cases.

6. Accusations of Bias & Anti-Semitism

Timestamps: 27:15–39:19

• A heated exchange about CNN’s Clarissa Ward becomes a flashpoint for discussing journalistic bias and the global focus on Israel.

  • Conricus (28:12): “People who have the role and the power as the main conduits of information… when they are shown and exposed to have a very clear anti Israeli bias… that is part of the story.”

• Smith pushes back forcefully, accusing Israeli officials of weaponizing claims of anti-Semitism to deflect criticism:

  • Smith (38:30): "...you’re invoking anti Semitism whenever Israel gets criticism. Maybe it’s just that you guys are a rogue regime that’s killing tens of thousands of people and violating international law…"

• Morgan raises the Stop Antisemitism Watchdog’s list of “anti-Semite of the year” nominees (Tucker Carlson, Cenk Uygur, Anna Kasparian) who have never shown anti-Jewish hatred but have criticized Israel, arguing the term is abused to stifle legitimate debate (36:32). Smith agrees.

• Conricus, to his credit, clarifies he does not consider Smith or Morgan anti-Semites (41:43), though he laments "antisemitic tropes" do appear frequently.

7. U.S.-Israel Relationship: Who’s Wagging Whom?

Timestamps: 39:19–41:39

• Smith and Conricus dispute who drives the U.S.-Israel relationship. Smith sees Israel as exerting undue influence; Conricus portrays Israel as America’s “unsinkable aircraft carrier” that serves U.S. strategic interests.
  • Conricus (41:31): “…Israel is like a little aircraft carrier, an American unsinkable aircraft carrier that is advancing America’s goals in the Middle East and doing most, if not all, of the heavy lifting…”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Netanyahu’s Pardon Request:

  • “The very action of asking him to be pardoned was, you could say, an abuse of power.” – Piers Morgan (01:21)
  • “[Netanyahu’s] plan all along was exactly what they said: to make Gaza unlivable and try to drive all the Palestinians out of there.” – Dave Smith (02:16)

• On Government Accountability:

  • “The only answer is to hold criminals in government accountable.” – Dave Smith (11:46)
  • “I would ban the pardon system in America… the moment that you can pardon anyone on your side, it’s an endorsement of crime.” – Piers Morgan (13:03)

• On War Crimes & IDF Actions:

  • “If indeed what we see in the video happened, then it is a dramatic deviation… and there will be consequences.” – Jonathan Conricus (14:32)
  • “The way IDF spokesmen and the highest ministers in the government just lie through their teeth… There’s a whole lot we don’t know about.” – Dave Smith (19:28)

• On Media Access:

  • “It is outrageous that the international media remain banned from the ground in Gaza… only when these videos come out… we see breaches of the Geneva Convention.” – Piers Morgan (19:01)

• On Weaponizing Anti-Semitism:

  • “It’s so pathetic, man… they’ve never once said anything about the Jews… you’re invoking anti Semitism whenever Israel gets criticism. Maybe it’s just that you guys are a rogue regime...” – Dave Smith (38:30)
  • “Can you just clarify that you do not think either Dave Smith or me are anti Semites?” – Piers Morgan (41:43)
  • “Personally don’t think you are an antisemite.” – Jonathan Conricus (41:53)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Introduction to Netanyahu’s pardon and political context: 00:05–02:16
• Explanation of corruption charges: 05:01–07:38
• Discussion over norms and implications of the pardon: 07:38–09:54
• U.S. pressure and Trump’s influence: 09:54–10:42
• Government unity and the problem with political pardons: 11:17–13:03
• West Bank execution video, IDF conduct, and war crimes debate: 13:03–19:28
• Media blackout and impunity claims: 19:28–27:15
• Arguments about global scrutiny, bias, and anti-Semitism: 27:15–39:19
• U.S.-Israel relationship and 'who wags whom': 39:19–41:39
• Final clarifications and acknowledgments: 41:43–end

Conclusion

Piers Morgan deftly moderates a passionate, sometimes explosive debate over the nature of accountability for leaders during wartime, the enormous global scrutiny Israel faces (and arguably resists), and how charges of anti-Semitism are sometimes weaponized to shield political actors from criticism. Dave Smith pulls no punches, frequently indicting the Israeli government and IDF. Jonathan Conricus provides a more cautious, institutionally loyal Israeli perspective, but acknowledges some of the criticisms. The episode showcases the topical fault lines in the discourse around the Israel-Gaza conflict, corruption in government, media freedom, and the politicization of identity and justice.

For Listeners

If you missed the episode, this summary provides a clear breakdown of the major points, the key arguments, and the most quotable exchanges—offering a window into one of the sharpest and most controversial dialogues currently shaping public debate on Israel, Palestine, and global politics.