Revealed On 30 Nov 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested presidential pardon amid ongoing corruption instances.
The Israeli president’s workplace on Sunday stated Netanyahu submitted a request for pardon to President Isaac Herzog.
Netanyahu is up in opposition to three separate instances of corruption filed in 2019, which embrace allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of belief. He denies the costs and has pleaded not responsible.
“The Workplace of the President is conscious that that is a unprecedented request which carries with it vital implications. After receiving all the related opinions, the president will responsibly and sincerely think about the request,” Herzog’s workplace stated in an announcement.
Netanyahu’s request comes as US President Donald Trump pushes Herzog to pardon Netanyahu within the instances in query. Herzog additionally obtained a letter from Trump earlier in November, urging him to think about the pardon.
Throughout Trump’s go to to Israel in October, he had additionally urged Herzog to pardon Netanyahu in an handle to the Israeli parliament.
The Israeli prime minister can also be wished by The Hague-based Worldwide Prison Court docket (ICC). In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on expenses of struggle crimes and crimes in opposition to humanity in Gaza.
Netanyahu is the one sitting prime minister in Israeli historical past to face trial, after being charged with fraud, breach of belief and accepting bribes in three separate instances accusing him of exchanging favors with rich political supporters.
The graft instances in opposition to him embrace allegations of receiving practically 700,000 shekels ($211,832) in items from businessmen.
Regardless of the largely ceremonial position of the Israeli presidency, Herzog has the authority to pardon convicted criminals underneath uncommon circumstances.
Nonetheless, Netanyahu’s trial, which started in 2020, has but to be concluded.
In a videotaped assertion, Netanyahu stated the trial has divided the nation and {that a} pardon would assist restore nationwide unity. He additionally stated the requirement that he seem in court docket 3 times per week is a distraction that makes it tough for him to guide the nation.
Netanyahu’s request consisted of two paperwork – an in depth letter signed by his lawyer and a letter signed by Netanyahu. They are going to be despatched to the justice ministry for opinions and can then be transferred to the Authorized Advisor within the Workplace of the President, which can formulate extra opinions for the president.
