Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially submitted a request for a pardon to President Isaac Herzog. This significant move comes as Netanyahu faces ongoing legal challenges, having been on trial for the last five years on serious charges including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust connected to three separate cases. The president's office has confirmed that Herzog will consult with justice officials before making a decision on this extraordinary request, which carries considerable implications for both Netanyahu and the nation.
Netanyahu, who has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, expressed in a recent video message his preference to see the legal process conclude. However, he argued that the national interest necessitated his request for a pardon. Earlier this month, former US President Donald Trump publicly urged Herzog to grant a full pardon to the prime minister, emphasizing the importance of unity at a time of national distress.
Herzog clarified that any individual seeking a pardon must submit a formal request, which has now been made public along with a letter from Netanyahu. The president's office has not indicated a timeline for when Herzog might reach a decision regarding the pardon.
In 2020, Netanyahu made history as the first sitting Israeli prime minister to stand trial. The allegations against him are severe: in the first case, he is accused of accepting gifts, primarily cigars and champagne, from influential businessmen in exchange for political favors. The second case involves accusations that he offered to enhance the circulation of an Israeli newspaper in return for favorable coverage. Meanwhile, in the third case, prosecutors allege that he promoted regulatory decisions beneficial to an Israeli telecom company’s controlling shareholder, also in exchange for positive coverage from a news website. Netanyahu has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has labeled the trial a witch-hunt orchestrated by his political adversaries.
In his video message from Sunday, Netanyahu pointed out that the ongoing trial is causing division within the nation, which is facing significant challenges and opportunities that require unity. He expressed confidence that swiftly ending the trial would help reduce tensions and foster broader reconciliation within Israel, a need he believes is urgent.
According to Israel's Basic Law, the president has the authority to pardon individuals convicted of crimes and to modify their sentences. Interestingly, Israel's High Court of Justice has ruled that a presidential pardon may be granted even before a conviction if it serves the public interest or arises from extreme personal circumstances.
Netanyahu’s Likud party and many of his supporters have consistently advocated for a pardon, viewing it as a necessary step for their leader. However, many Israelis, particularly those on the left, perceive such a move as a threat to the country’s identity as a vibrant democracy with a robust legal framework. Public concerns about the integrity of Israel's judicial system have escalated, especially following the government's proposed judicial reforms, which have sparked large-scale protests—prior to the recent escalation of violence following the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023.