Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally asked President Isaac Herzog to pardon him, seeking an end to the long-running corruption cases that have shadowed his premiership for half a decade.
Herzog’s office confirmed receiving the request and said he would first consult legal authorities, calling it a step “with significant implications”. No timeline has been given for a decision.
Netanyahu has been on trial since 2020, facing allegations of bribery, fraud and breach of trust across three separate cases. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, insisting the prosecutions are politically motivated. The three cases accuse him of receiving luxury gifts from wealthy associates, negotiating favourable media coverage in exchange for political concessions, and approving regulatory benefits for a telecoms executive in return for positive reporting.
In a video message released Sunday, Netanyahu said he would have preferred to continue fighting the charges in court, but claimed Israel’s national interest required him to seek a pardon instead. The ongoing legal battle, he argued, was “tearing Israel apart from within.”
“I am certain that an immediate end to the trial would greatly help lower the flames and promote broad reconciliation—something our country desperately needs,” he said. Netanyahu added that being required to testify three times a week was “an impossible demand” for a sitting prime minister.
Opposition parties have condemned the move. Yair Lapid said a pardon should only follow an admission of guilt, remorse and Netanyahu’s withdrawal from politics. Former general and left-wing politician Yair Golan argued that “only the guilty seek a pardon,” accusing Netanyahu of blurring the line between personal survival and national interest.
Herzog had previously noted that any pardon request must be submitted formally—something Netanyahu’s office did only this week. The request comes after US President Donald Trump publicly urged Herzog to grant Netanyahu a full pardon earlier this month.
Under Israel’s Basic Law, the president can pardon individuals even before conviction if doing so serves the public interest or responds to extreme personal circumstances. Supporters in Netanyahu’s Likud party have long backed such a move, but critics warn it would undermine public faith in Israel’s legal system at a time when debates over judicial reform have sharply divided the country.
Adding further complexity, the International Criminal Court last year issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in the Gaza conflict.
this will further tear israhell society apart, but who cares?
certainly not satanyahu.
Is asking for a pardon that different from admitting guilt? I doubt it will matter, as most Israeli’s support what is happening in Gaza. If not this fellow, then someone else, will step up and continue the persecution, of the Palestinians.
I fell sick just looking at him.
The injustice of it all.