JERUSALEM, Nov 30 – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken an unprecedented step by asking President Isaac Herzog for a pardon in the corruption case that has followed him for years. The request, delivered on Sunday, reflects a growing argument from Netanyahu and his legal team that the ongoing proceedings have become a barrier to effective governance and a source of deep national tension. Although the prime minister has consistently denied all allegations, he maintains that ending the trial would serve the wider interests of the country.
Netanyahu, the longest serving leader in Israel’s history, faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust that stem from three separate investigations. These cases, made public in 2019, accuse him of granting favors to wealthy business figures in exchange for gifts and more favorable media coverage. Throughout the process, Netanyahu has insisted that he has done nothing wrong, and he has pointed to his repeated election victories as proof of the public’s faith in him. His stance remains unchanged, even as he seeks a pardon. In both his public statements and the letter from his attorneys, there is no admission of guilt of any kind.
In a short video message released by his Likud party, Netanyahu said that his legal team had formally submitted the request earlier in the day. He added that anyone who wishes “for the good of the country” should support the move. He emphasized the toll that the trial has taken on his ability to carry out the responsibilities of the office. According to him, the frequency of court appearances has become overwhelming. He noted that he is required to testify three times every week, something he referred to as an impossible demand, especially for someone in his position.
Public figures across the political spectrum responded quickly. Opposition leader Yair Lapid argued that a pardon should not even be considered unless Netanyahu admits wrongdoing, expresses remorse, and resigns from political life. In Lapid’s view, offering a pardon prior to a conviction would undermine the principle that all public officials should be accountable under the law. Another opposition figure, Yair Golan, urged the president to reject the request outright and called on the prime minister to step down immediately.
The president’s office described the pardon request as extraordinary, noting that it carries serious national implications. Officials stated that the matter would be treated with full seriousness and that the president intends to evaluate all relevant information before making a decision. As is customary, the request has been sent to the pardons department of the justice ministry, which will gather opinions and submit them to the president’s legal adviser. Only after this process is completed will a final recommendation be made.
Traditionally, pardons in Israel are granted only after legal proceedings have run their course and a conviction has been entered. Netanyahu’s lawyers, however, argue that this situation is different. They claim that the ongoing trial has deepened political division and weakened unity, which in their view presents grounds for presidential intervention. They say the president has the authority to act when the public interest is at stake, and they suggest that closing the case would help repair national fractures.
Coalition members quickly aligned themselves with the prime minister. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich both voiced support for the pardon request, saying that the trial has dragged on for too long and has unfairly burdened the prime minister at a critical moment in the country’s history. Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close political ally of Netanyahu, has also been part of the discussion surrounding the process.
The request gained additional attention earlier this month when former United States President Donald Trump sent a letter to President Herzog urging him to consider granting Netanyahu a pardon. According to the letter, Trump described the investigation as politically motivated. While this intervention does not directly influence the legal process in Israel, it has amplified the political significance of Netanyahu’s appeal.
Netanyahu’s long career has been marked by both political dominance and ongoing controversies. First elected in 1996, he has served multiple terms, moved between government and opposition, and returned to the prime minister’s office following the 2022 election at the head of what is widely considered the most right leaning coalition Israel has ever seen. Polls suggest that his alliance may struggle in the next national election, which must take place by October 2026.
His leadership during major national crises continues to shape public opinion. Netanyahu was serving as prime minister on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly assault on Israel, an event broadly regarded as one of the most traumatic in the nation’s history. The war in Gaza that followed has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths, widespread destruction, and intense international criticism. Israel has also escalated tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon and, more recently, entered a military confrontation with Iran that significantly damaged key Iranian military infrastructure.
Despite these challenges, Netanyahu retains a strong base of support. His allies insist that the trial has been used as a tool to weaken him politically and that the country is best served by allowing him to continue governing without what they describe as an unnecessary legal burden. His critics, meanwhile, argue that granting a pardon before any verdict is reached would erode the integrity of Israeli democracy.