Does Herzog Have the Guts?
Unprecedented Political Intrigue: Netanyahu Requests Pardon from President Herzog
Netanyahu's Bombshell Pardon Plea: Amid Corruption Trial Turmoil, Israeli PM Seeks Presidential Mercy in High-Stakes Bid for Legacy and Leadership Survival
Today (Sunday), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally submitted a request for a pardon to President Isaac Herzog amid his ongoing corruption trial, arguing that the legal proceedings are impeding his ability to govern effectively and that granting clemency would benefit Israeli society.
Netanyahu, facing charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases, denies wrongdoing and maintains he would be fully acquitted if the trial proceeds, but his lawyers emphasized the pardon's potential to restore national focus.
This move comes just weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump sent a letter to Herzog on November 12, urging a pardon for Netanyahu, whom Trump described as Israel's longest-serving leader entangled in protracted legal battles.
Herzog's office acknowledged Trump's request, stating they hold him "in the highest regard" but that any pardon requires a formal application and an admission of guilt, conditions Netanyahu has not met, as he refuses to concede wrongdoing.
Netanyahu publicly rejected the idea of seeking a pardon shortly after Trump's letter, insisting on his innocence, but reversed course amid mounting political pressure.
The cases against Netanyahu involve allegations of accepting lavish gifts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in exchange for favors, as well as media manipulation, marking him as the first sitting Israeli prime minister to face indictment.
Critics, including opposition figures, have decried the pardon request as an attempt to evade justice, while supporters argue it would stabilize governance during regional conflicts.
As of now, Herzog has called the request "extraordinary," but no decision has been announced, sparking debates over U.S. influence on Israeli affairs and the integrity of the judicial process.
Acclaimed Israeli journalist Michal Shemesh adds:
Netanyahu has approached Herzog not for a traditional pardon, but for a request for total exoneration.
Observers note that the distinction is clear: Netanyahu refuses to take responsibility for the events listed in his indictment, denies any guilt regarding them, and is unwilling to accept any punishment or sanctions tied to the charges.
Experts say this is characteristic of a full exoneration request. Netanyahu’s choice to turn to the President rather than the courts reflects his understanding that a judicial route would be uncertain, lengthy, and would require repeated court appearances, something he is determined to avoid.
The request now rests with President Herzog, who will need to make a decision within the coming weeks.
ABC, BBC, CBS and Reuters contributed to this article.