For close to a decade, the prime minister has been beset by a major corruption scandal.
The presidential office has announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu officially submitted a request for a pardon to President Isaac Herzog. Since the mid-2010s, the Prime Minister has faced numerous corruption allegations, all of which he has steadfastly denied.
On Sunday, Herzog’s office confirmed receipt of a letter from Netanyahu along with an extensive 111-page document provided by his attorney, Amit Hadad. The presidency acknowledged “that this is an extraordinary request” that could have “significant implications.”
“Granting this request will allow the prime minister to devote all of his time, abilities, and energy to advancing Israel in these critical times and to dealing with the challenges and opportunities that lie before it,” Hadad contended in the request.
Netanyahu’s lawyer further suggested that pardoning the prime minister would purportedly “help mend rifts between different sectors of the public” and contribute to “strengthening the country’s national resilience.”
Herzog’s office stated that the presidency’s legal department would review the request, while the Justice Ministry’s pardons department “will gather the opinions of all the relevant authorities in the ministry.”
“After receiving all of the relevant opinions, the president will responsibly and sincerely consider the request,” the office added.
Although the Israeli president’s role is predominantly ceremonial, the office possesses the authority to issue pardons. While this process typically applies to convicted individuals, a pardon may, in exceptional circumstances, be granted prior to the conclusion of legal proceedings if deemed to serve the public interest. Netanyahu had previously stated he would not seek a pardon if it implied an admission of guilt, maintaining his denials of any misconduct.
For close to a decade, the Prime Minister has faced persistent corruption allegations. Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, but his trial remains far from resolution. Critics of Netanyahu have alleged that he intentionally extends conflicts with Israel’s neighbors as a tactic to evade legal action and retain his position.