Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog in his long-running corr¥ption trial, claiming the move serves the “public interest.” In a letter to Herzog, Netanyahu described his trial as “a focal point of fierce controversy” and said he bears significant responsibility, acknowledging the wider impact of the case.
He noted that while proving his innocence is in his personal interest, the public interest may require otherwise. The letter, submitted Thursday and made public Sunday, contains no admission of guilt or statements about his political future. Netanyahu has consistently denied charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. The request marks a shift from his earlier stance that the cases would collapse and that he would clear his name in court.
Netanyahu emphasized his commitment to addressing Israel’s security challenges, fostering national unity, and restoring trust in state institutions.
The request drew swift criticism from opposition leaders. Yair Lapid, head of the opposition, said Herzog should reject the pardon unless Netanyahu admits guilt, shows remorse, and steps back from politics. Yair Golan, of the Democrats party, added that “only someone guilty asks for a pardon.”
Netanyahu’s allies, including far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, defended the move, citing national security considerations. U.S. President Donald Trump also urged Herzog to grant the pardon, describing Netanyahu as a decisive wartime leader.
Polling indicates Israelis are divided: 48% oppose an unconditional pardon, 44% support it, and 8% are undecided. Legal experts note that presidential pardons in Israel are generally granted after conviction, warning that pre-trial pardons could undermine the judicial process. Netanyahu is the first sitting Israeli Prime Minister to face criminal prosecution, with his trial ongoing since May 2020 across three separate cases.
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