Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a presidential pardon, citing that his prolonged corruption trial is hampering his ability to govern effectively. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust but maintains his innocence, insisting that a full acquittal remains likely.
In a statement released by his Likud party, Netanyahu said his lawyers submitted the pardon request to President Isaac Herzog, emphasizing that it would serve the country’s best interests by easing political divisions. “I expect that anyone who wishes for the good of the country support this step,” he said.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid strongly criticized the move, arguing that a pardon should only be considered if Netanyahu admits guilt, shows remorse, and steps away from politics. Traditionally, Israeli pardons are granted only after a conviction, though Netanyahu’s team claims the president has the authority to intervene when national unity is at stake.
President Herzog’s office described the request as “extraordinary” and confirmed it will be reviewed carefully, following consultations with the pardons department and legal advisers. U.S. President Donald Trump also sent a letter encouraging Herzog to approve the pardon, calling the case a “political prosecution.”
Netanyahu, first indicted in 2019 in three linked corruption cases, has faced scrutiny for allegedly exchanging favors with influential business figures for gifts and favorable media coverage. Despite ongoing legal battles, his coalition allies, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have publicly backed the pardon request.
Critics, including former military deputy chief Yair Golan, have urged the prime minister to resign and warned against granting a pardon, noting that Netanyahu remains one of Israel’s most polarizing figures. His coalition, considered the most right-wing in Israeli history, may struggle to maintain power in the next elections scheduled for October 2026.
Netanyahu’s tenure has been marked by a focus on national security and economic policies, though his leadership during the devastating 2023 Gaza war has drawn widespread international criticism. The ongoing trial and pardon request add another layer of controversy to his complex political legacy.
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