 "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog in a file photo (AFP)")
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog, the President’s Residence confirmed.
The submission included an 111-page petition from Netanyahu’s lawyer Amit Hadad, along with a personal letter from Netanyahu. President Herzog’s office has made the full request public.
“Granting this request will allow the prime minister to devote all of his time, abilities, and energy to advancing Israel in these critical times,” writes Hadad, “and to dealing with the challenges and opportunities that lie before it. In addition, granting the request will help mend rifts between different sectors of the public, open the door to lowering the intensity of tensions, all for the purpose of strengthening the country’s national resilience.”
Herzog’s office said that Hadad delivered the request to the Legal Department of the President’s Residence.
The Justice Ministry Pardons Department “will gather the opinions of all the relevant authorities in the ministry,” says Herzog’s office, then will send their recommendations to Herzog’s legal adviser.
“The Office of the President is aware that this is an extraordinary request which carries with it significant implications,” says Herzog’s office in a statement. “After receiving all of the relevant opinions, the president will responsibly and sincerely consider the request.”
The president has the authority to grant pardons to individuals convicted by the courts, and in exceptional cases, even before a trial concludes, if doing so is considered in the public interest.
Earlier this month, Netanyahu stated he would not seek a pardon for his corruption trial if it meant acknowledging guilt.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump reportedly wrote to President Herzog, requesting that he grant a pardon to Netanyahu.
Netanyahu faces one bribery charge and three counts each of fraud and breach of trust, spanning three separate corruption cases. His trial, which began in 2020, remains ongoing and far from resolution.