Netanyahu requests presidential pardon amid corruption trial

BarcelonaIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a pardon from the country's president. in the context of his corruption trial, which has been ongoing since 2020. According to Netanyahu, the legal proceedings are hindering his ability to govern, and a pardon would be positive for Israel.

"My lawyers have sent a pardon request to the president today. I hope that all those who wish the good of the country will support it," Netanyahu said in a video released by his Likud party. "I am required to testify three times a week… It is an impossible demand that has not been made."

The request comes two weeks after US President Donald Trump sent a letter to Herzog asking him to pardon Netanyahu, calling the case against him "unjustified political persecution."

President Isaac Herzog's office has confirmed that it has received the request, which it described as "extraordinary" and with "significant implications," and has released the lawyers' letter. According to Herzog, once all relevant opinions have been gathered, he will "consider the request responsibly and seriously."

The request was submitted by Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Hadad, to the Presidential Legal Department. As is standard practice, the request will be sent to the Justice Ministry's pardons department for opinions, which will then be forwarded to the Presidential Legal Advisor, who will formulate the final recommendation.

Traditionally, in Israel, a pardon is only granted once legal proceedings have concluded and the accused has been convicted. However, Netanyahu's lawyers maintain that the president can intervene when the public interest justifies it. According to them and Netanyahu, in such a case, a pardon would help reduce social divisions and bring the trial to a close, thus contributing to national reconciliation. "The trial is tearing us apart from within, causing enormous disagreements and fueling deep divisions. Ending it would help reduce tensions and promote the broad reconciliation the country needs," Netanyahu stated, adding that ending the process "would significantly contribute to calming tensions."

Three open legal cases

Since the legal proceedings began, the Israeli prime minister has repeatedly attempted to postpone his trial, citing high-level diplomatic engagements or issues related to the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, which in some cases resulted in his absence from court. The prime minister faces three open cases: Cases 1000 and 2000, and Case 4000. In Case 1000, he is accused of accepting approximately €260,000 in gifts—such as cigars and champagne—between 2007 and 2016 from two businessmen: Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian tycoon James Packer. In return, according to the prosecution, Netanyahu allegedly intervened on Milchan's behalf, including lobbying the Finance Ministry to expand a tax exemption for expatriate Israelis like Milchan who repatriated funds.

Case 2000 investigates an alleged negotiation, in 2014, with Arnon Mozes, editor of the newspaper Yediot Aharonot, one of Israel's leading media outlets. According to the indictment, the idea was for Netanyahu to receive favorable media coverage in exchange for considering legislation that would limit the influence of the rival newspaper.Israel HayomHowever, he is not accused of having carried out this agreement.

Case 4000 focuses on alleged favors, when Netanyahu was Communications Minister, to businessman Shaul Elovitch, owner of the Bezeq telecommunications group and the Walla News website, in exchange for favorable media coverage. He is also accused of bribery in connection with these events between 2015 and 2017. According to the prosecution, Elovitch and his wife allegedly favored Netanyahu and his family so that the prime minister would not obstruct their business interests.

The Israeli leader, who has consistently denied any involvement in any crime, has called the legal proceedings a "witch hunt" and a conspiracy by the so-called "deep state." He is the first head of government in Israeli history to be prosecuted while in office.

Strong political reaction

The pardon request has provoked a strong political reaction. Several coalition allies, such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have expressed their support for the prime minister. In contrast, the opposition has harshly criticized the initiative, especially since Netanyahu has not admitted any guilt, and accuses him of being primarily responsible for the unprecedented division that has shaken the country for years. In a message to Herzog, former prime minister and opposition leader Yair Lapid warned that the president cannot grant a pardon "without an admission of guilt, an expression of remorse, and immediate withdrawal from political life." For his part, Yair Golan, former deputy chief of the army, urged Netanyahu to resign and called on the president to reject the request.