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Netanyahu formally requests pardon in corruption cases
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has submitted a formal request for a presidential pardon to President Isaac Herzog, seeking to halt his five-year-long corruption trial on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. The president's office confirmed receipt of the request on Sunday, stating it would consult justice officials before making a decision due to the "significant implications" involved.
Legal and political backdrop
Netanyahu, who became Israel's first sitting prime minister to face trial in 2020, has consistently denied wrongdoing, dismissing the cases as a "witch hunt" orchestrated by political rivals. In a video statement released Sunday, he argued that while he preferred to see the trial through, national unity and Israel's pressing challenges required an immediate resolution. "An end to this trial would help lower tensions and foster reconciliation," he claimed, adding that the legal process was "tearing the nation apart."
The prime minister also cited logistical burdens, stating he was required to testify in court "three times a week-an impossible demand." His supporters, including his right-wing Likud party, have long advocated for a pardon, framing it as necessary for stability amid external threats.
Opposition condemns move
Critics, however, accused Netanyahu of conflating personal legal troubles with state interests. Opposition leader Yair Lapid insisted any pardon must be contingent on an admission of guilt, remorse, and Netanyahu's withdrawal from politics. Left-wing lawmaker Yair Golan, a former military deputy commander, declared, "Only the guilty seek pardon."
"There can be no pardon without guilt, no reconciliation without accountability. This is a direct assault on Israel's democratic institutions."
Yair Lapid, Opposition Leader
Legal framework and public sentiment
Under Israel's Basic Law, the president holds authority to pardon or reduce sentences, including pre-conviction in cases of "public interest" or "extreme personal circumstances." The High Court of Justice has previously upheld this power, though its use remains contentious. Herzog's office emphasized the request's gravity but did not specify a timeline for a decision.
The pardon bid arrives amid lingering public distrust of Netanyahu's government, fueled by protracted protests over judicial reforms-interrupted only by the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks that triggered the ongoing Gaza war. Separately, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last year for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes, a move the prime minister condemned as "antisemitic."
International dimension
Earlier this month, former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urged Herzog to "fully pardon" Netanyahu, though the president's office reiterated that formal requests were prerequisite for consideration. The White House has not commented on the development.
What's next
Herzog's deliberations will hinge on legal opinions and the pardon's potential impact on Israel's political climate. Analysts note the decision could either exacerbate divisions or-if framed as a unifying gesture-temporarily ease tensions, though Netanyahu's opponents warn of lasting damage to judicial independence.
Should the pardon be granted, it would mark an unprecedented intervention in a high-profile corruption case, with repercussions for Israel's legal system and Netanyahu's political future.
