Tel Aviv: Benjamin Netanyahu, the sitting Prime Minister of Israel, has officially submitted a formal request for a presidential pardon related to the long-running corruption trial he faces. He has been on trial for five years. In a statement released by his office on Sunday, Netanyahu said the trial — which he asserts has deeply divided the country — must end for the sake of national reconciliation and unity.
The appeal for clemency was forwarded to the legal department of the office of Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel. Herzog’s office acknowledged receiving the request, calling it an “extraordinary request” that “carries with it significant implications,” and confirmed that it will be evaluated in accordance with established procedures.
Netanyahu remains the only sitting prime minister in Israeli history to stand trial on charges including fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes — allegations he has repeatedly denied. Legal experts and critics have noted that pardons in Israel are traditionally granted only after conviction and often require admission of guilt, making this pre-verdict request unprecedented and legally controversial.
“My lawyers sent a request for pardon to the president of the country today. I expect that anyone who wishes for the good of the country support this step,” Netanyahu said in a brief video statement released by his political party, the Likud, as reported by Reuters.
Neither the prime minister nor his lawyers made any admission of guilt, according to a Reuters report. Meanwhile, the country’s Opposition leader Yair Lapid reportedly told Netanyahu should not be pardoned without admitting guilt. He also insisted that Netanyahu should express remorse, and immediately retire from political life.
What has the President said?
According to reports, the President “will responsibly and sincerely consider the request” after receiving relevant opinions. This was communicated by his office, Reuters reported.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump had written to Herzog urging him to consider granting the PM a pardon. Trump had claimed that the case against him was ‘a political, unjustified prosecution.’
Herzog’s office said the request would be forwarded to the pardons department in the justice ministry. It is standard practice, to collect opinions, which would be submitted to the President’s legal adviser. After this, the adviser will formulate a recommendation for the President. It can be noted that Israel’s Justice Minister, Yariv Levin, is a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party. He is also a close ally of the PM.
