Netanyahu Asks for Presidential Pardon Amid Corruption Trials

Fri Dec 05 2025 14:40:52 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog amid ongoing corruption trials. Netanyahu claims that a pardon would promote national reconciliation, though opposition leaders insist he must first admit guilt.

In a surprising move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog concerning corruption cases that have been ongoing for five years. The request highlights the political tensions in Israel, with Netanyahu suggesting that a pardon would aid in national reconciliation, while opposition leaders demand accountability before any pardons are granted. The implications of this request are profound, as the Israeli public continues to grapple with the ongoing judicial controversy surrounding their leader.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the country's President, Isaac Herzog, for a pardon over corruption cases he has been battling.

The president's office indicated that Herzog would seek opinions from justice officials before considering the request, which it stated carries significant implications.

Netanyahu has been standing trial for the past five years on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in connection with three different cases. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

In a video message, Netanyahu expressed a preference to see the trial process conclude but asserted that national interest necessitated the request for a pardon.

The Israeli opposition has countered that before seeking a pardon, Netanyahu should admit guilt.

Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump encouraged Herzog to fully pardon Netanyahu. At that time, Herzog emphasized that any formal pardon request required an official submission.

Netanyahu's pardon request, along with a personal letter from him, was released to emphasize the request's extraordinary nature and its potential implications for the nation.

While it remains unclear when Herzog may make a decision, Netanyahu's political opponents voiced their concerns, stressing that he must confess to his alleged crimes before consideration of a pardon.

Under Israel's Basic Law, the president has the authority to pardon criminals, including before a conviction if deemed in the public interest.

Netanyahu has been accused of receiving lavish gifts from wealthy individuals in exchange for political favors and has long claimed the charges against him are politically motivated.

Opposition figures have maintained that any effort to secure a pardon without accountability would undermine democracy and Israel's legal integrity.