Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu submitted a 111-page pardon request to President Isaac Herzog on Sunday to end his five-year corruption trial. He faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three cases that could bring up to 10 years in prison.
Netanyahu denies all wrongdoing and calls the prosecution a “witch-hunt” orchestrated by rivals and the media. He argues a pardon would let him focus on strengthening Israel amid regional turmoil.
He asked US President Donald Trump during a Monday phone call to support his bid for a presidential pardon, Axios reported Tuesday, citing one Israeli and two US officials.
Netanyahu appeared in court Monday, the day after formally requesting Israeli President Isaac Herzog to grant him mercy in his ongoing corruption case so he can focus on his 2026 re-election campaign without distraction.
Trump has backed the request twice recently: first from the Knesset podium and later in a letter to Herzog.
Israeli pardons are granted only after conviction. No precedent exists for mercy during an active trial.
No guilt needed?
Opposition leader Yair Lapid demands any pardon include an admission of guilt, remorse and Netanyahu’s immediate political retirement. Legally, however, Herzog can grant mercy without those conditions, though the Justice Ministry’s opinion carries weight.
Herzog has previously favoured a negotiated settlement over trial. His office said he will “responsibly and sincerely consider the request” after reviewing all opinions.
Israel Democracy Institute’s Yohanan Plesner warned a no-guilt pardon could erode public norms and accountability for leaders.
A PM tradition?
Since 1996, every Israeli prime minister has faced corruption probes:
- Netanyahu (1996–99): kickbacks, influence peddling
- Ehud Barak (1999–2001): illegal campaign funds, bribery, money laundering
- Ariel Sharon (2001–06): $430,000 bribes in Greek Island affair
- Ehud Olmert (2006–09): convicted of $430,000 bribes as Jerusalem mayor; jailed in 2016 for fraud, breach of trust, falsifying records, tax evasion
- Netanyahu (2009–21): current cases; two others dropped
Thousands protested outside Herzog’s Tel Aviv home Sunday, joined by opposition figures like Naama Lazimi.
Source & Featured photo: AlJazeera
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