Netanyahu's Pardon Request Ignites Political Firestorm: Step-by-Step Process Revealed Amid Sharp Reactions from Leaders

In a move that has sent shockwaves through Israel's political landscape, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally submitted a pardon request to President Isaac Herzog, triggering a complex presidential review process and eliciting passionate responses from across the spectrum.

As the nation grapples with this unprecedented development, the President's Office released a detailed flowchart outlining the steps ahead, while key figures, from opposition leaders to coalition allies, weighed in with praise, outrage, and calls for accountability.

The President's Office, shortly after announcing receipt of Netanyahu's request, published a comprehensive guide to the pardon procedure, a process that could span several weeks.

According to the outline, once a pardon application is received, it is forwarded to the Pardons Department at the Ministry of Justice. The Pardons Department then contacts relevant authorities to gather information and formulate opinions. Depending on the case, this may involve the Israel Prison Service, Israel Police, State Attorney's Office, welfare, medical, enforcement, collection authorities, and others. Next, the Pardons Department's opinion is sent to the Minister of Justice, who formulates their own stance. If there's a conflict of interest, the government appoints another minister to handle it.

Following the Justice Minister's input, the file moves to the President's Office legal department. They review the pardon file, complete any necessary details or clarifications, and forward it to the President's legal advisor.

The process continues with further inquiries and checks, if needed, back to the Pardons Department or other relevant bodies for supplements and additional responses. Ultimately, the legal advisor's opinion is delivered to the President, along with the full pardon file and all required materials for decision-making.

At this stage, two outcomes are possible.

The request has sparked intense debate, with reactions pouring in from prominent voices. Opposition leader Yair Lapid issued a video response: "I call on President Herzog: You cannot grant Netanyahu a pardon without an admission of guilt, expression of regret, and immediate retirement from political life."

Former Supreme Court President Aharon Barak, who has commented on Netanyahu's trial saga before, told N12: "The President will consider it, I'm sure."

Likud MK Tali Gottlieb expressed dismay: "Mr. Prime Minister, why submit a pardon request?? Why allow a blemish on you for no wrongdoing? I'm pained and humiliated by the pardon submission. Your trial is bigger than you and all of us. You've proven your persecution and the persecution of the right in an indescribable way. Just in recent weeks, the extent of the persecution and lies has been revealed in all its horror. It's a shame. Such a shame."

Defense Minister Israel Katz supported the move: "I support Prime Minister Netanyahu's pardon request to President Herzog and call on the President to grant it and end the legal indictments born in sin that created a deep rift dividing the people for a decade. Israel faces a more complex security reality than ever: old enemies trying to rebuild their strength, while new forces in the environment attempt to rise to threaten Israeli citizens' security. At this time, unified leadership focused on the strategic threat before us is required."

Granting a pardon, as noted by the U.S. President, is the only way to end the deep rift accompanying Israeli society for a decade and allow the country to reunite against the challenges and opportunities ahead. Benjamin Netanyahu has won the people's trust time and again and must be allowed to continue leading the State of Israel against all challenges it faces. I call on the President to support a decision that will allow the State of Israel to continue united forward."

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir added: "The pardon for Prime Minister Netanyahu is critical for state security. Reform in the judicial system and especially in the corrupt and tainted prosecution that created Netanyahu's stitched-up cases is critical for state security. There's no contradiction between the two, both are important together."

As Netanyahu's legal battles, stemming from charges he denies, continue to unfold, this pardon bid could reshape Israel's political future, drawing sharp lines between those seeing it as a path to unity and others as an evasion of justice. With the President's decision looming, all eyes are on Herzog's office for the next chapter in this high-stakes drama.