ISRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally asked President Isaac Herzog for a pardon in his long-running corruption trial, contending that the criminal proceedings are obstructing his capacity to lead the country and that halting the case would serve Israel’s national interest.
Reuters cited today that Netanyahu, who denies all bribery, fraud and breach of trust charges, confirmed the request on Sunday.
“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,” he said in a brief video message released by his Likud party.
Neither the prime minister nor his lawyers made any admission of guilt, maintaining their longstanding position that the legal process would ultimately lead to his full acquittal.
The appeal marks a rare attempt to secure a pardon before a conviction. Historically, presidential clemency in Israel has been granted only after legal proceedings conclude, but Netanyahu’s lawyers argue that public interest allows for intervention at an earlier stage.
They said ending the trial was necessary “to heal divisions and strengthen national unity”, adding that the increasingly frequent court hearings were imposing unsustainable demands on the head of government.
“I am required to testify three times a week … That is an impossible demand that is not made of any other citizen,” Netanyahu said, stressing that he continued to hold the electorate’s trust through repeated election victories.
President Herzog’s office described the plea as “extraordinary” with “significant implications”. It said the application would be transferred to the Justice Ministry’s pardons department to gather expert opinions.
These will then be submitted to the president’s legal adviser before Herzog formulates his decision. The president pledged to consider the request “responsibly and sincerely”.
Pressure has mounted internationally as well. Earlier this month, former US President Donald Trump wrote to Herzog urging him to grant Netanyahu a pardon, calling the prosecution “political” and “unjustified”.
Netanyahu’s allies in government, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, quickly issued statements backing the request.
The prime minister’s critics, however, condemned the move. Opposition leader Yair Lapid insisted Netanyahu “should not be pardoned without admitting guilt, expressing remorse, and immediately retiring from political life”.
Former deputy military chief and opposition politician Yair Golan urged Herzog to reject the plea and called on the prime minister to step down.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, was indicted in 2019 in three linked cases involving allegations that he provided preferential treatment to influential businessmen in return for gifts and favourable media coverage. He has consistently denied wrongdoing.
First elected in 1996, Netanyahu has remained one of Israel’s most divisive political figures. His current coalition, the most right-wing in the country’s history, may struggle to retain power in the next election, due by October 2026, according to recent polls.
His leadership has faced intense scrutiny since the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, the deadliest assault on Jews since the Holocaust.
The Gaza war that followed has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths and large-scale destruction, prompting widespread international condemnation. Israel has meanwhile dealt significant blows to Hamas and Hezbollah and this year launched a war against Iran, destroying key elements of Tehran’s military infrastructure.
As Netanyahu seeks to suspend the legal proceedings against him, the decision now lies with President Herzog, whose ruling will carry profound political, legal and societal consequences for Israel. - December 1, 2025
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