Israel: Netanyahu requests pardon from president
(L to R) Israeli Prime Minister's wife Sara, Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog attend a memorial ceremony for Israelis killed on the Hebrew calendar anniversary of the Hamas attack on October 7 last year that sparked the ongoing war in Gaza, at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem on October 27, 2024. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / POOL / AFP)
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on November 30th formally asked President Isaac Herzog for a pardon in his long-running corruption case, saying the criminal proceedings are obstructing his ability to lead the country and that ending the trial would benefit Israel, as reported by Reuters.
Netanyahu, who has spent five years in court facing bribery, fraud, and breach of trust charges, maintains he has done nothing wrong. His lawyers submitted the request, asserting that while the prime minister expects a full acquittal, the ongoing hearings have become unmanageable for a sitting leader.
Having previously called for Netanyahu to be pardoned via a social media post in June 2025, it was reported on November 14th, that through an official letter, US President Donald Trump also asked Herzog to grant Netanyahu a “full pardon.”
Netanyahu said, in a video message released by his Likud party: “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.”
The move immediately drew sharp political reactions. Opposition leader Yair Lapid insisted that a pardon should be contingent on Netanyahu admitting guilt, conveying remorse, and retiring from politics. Opposition politician Yair Golan, urged Herzog to reject the appeal and called on Netanyahu to resign.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has stated that he is in favour of pardoning Netanyahu, but only providing his successor abstains from politics.
Herzog’s office labelled the pardon request “extraordinary” and emphasised its “significant implications.” The matter is being forwarded to the Justice Ministry’s pardons department, whose assessments will be reviewed by the president’s legal adviser before any recommendation is made.
Pardons in Israel are normally given only after a conviction, but Netanyahu’s lawyers claimed that the president has the authority to intervene when the public interest is at stake.
Coalition partners including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich voiced support for Netanyahu, who has argued that appearing in court multiple times per week is incompatible with running the government.
Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 across three cases involving allegations that he has exchanged political favours for gifts and positive media coverage.
Reuters, Maghrebi.org
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