Netanyahu seeks presidential pardon from Isaac Herzog after Trump pressed for leniency

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked President Isaac Herzog for a pardon in the long-running case against him on charges of fraud and bribery on Sunday, November 30. 

The request comes weeks after Donald Trump wrote to the Israeli president to pardon Netanyahu, stating that the case against him was “political, unjustified prosecution.”

Benjamin Netanyahu claims his trial is dividing Israel 

The Israeli prime minister posted a 2-minute-long video on X, requesting the president to issue him a pardon.

While addressing the citizens of the nation, he said that “nearly ten years” had passed since the investigation began. He added that the case has lasted almost six years and is expected to continue for many more.

He claimed that the accusations against him had “collapsed” in court, adding that while his personal interest was to let the case go on, Netanyahu believed that “national interests demand unity.” 

He further argued that he believed that the immediate conclusion of the trial would help “lower the flames” and promote “broad reconciliation” that Israel “desperately” needed.

“The trial divides you. I ask the president for an immediate end to promote reconciliation and opportunities with Trump,” he said. 

Isaac Herzog’s office released a statement the same day, stating that the president would “responsibly” and “sincerely” consider the request after “receiving all of the relevant opinions.

Opposition demands admission of guilt

Several Israeli political leaders reacted to Netanyahu’s request for a presidential pardon.

Opposition leader MK Yair Lapid said that a pardon should not be granted without the admission of guilt. He also urged the prime minister’s “immediate withdrawal” from office.

Yair Golan stated that only someone guilty would need to ask for a pardon. He added that Netanyahu needed to be held accountable and that unity could only be achieved if he admitted guilt, left politics, and freed the people and the state. 

Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot condemned the prime minister’s request, stating that Israel did not have separate legal systems for “ordinary citizens” and for Netanyahu. 

“It can be assumed that when the president exercises his authority to grant a pardon, he will remember that the one requesting the pardon must take responsibility for his actions, admit to the offenses he committed, and express sincere remorse,” he added.