Madrid, 30 years (European Press)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu officially asked the country’s President Isaac Herzog to issue a pardon order and permanently exempt him from any responsibility in the corruption trial against the Israeli Prime Minister.
In his letter, Netanyahu explains that despite his personal interest in “reaching a successful outcome” to the judicial process to which he is subject, the procedure is so destabilizing that he sees no solution other than to speed up its conclusion “to relieve tension in the controversy that has arisen around it.”
The Israeli Prime Minister explained: “Therefore, despite my personal interest in proving my innocence until I am completely exonerated, I believe that the public interest dictates otherwise.”
“Because of my overall responsibility, as prime minister, to try to achieve reconciliation between parts of the people, I have no doubt that the conclusion of the trial will help de-escalate the controversy that has arisen around it,” he said, before again using the conflict in Gaza as a priority reason for his request.
He pointed out, “Given the security challenges and political opportunities currently facing the State of Israel, I am committed to doing everything possible to heal divisions, achieve unity of the people, and restore confidence in the state’s systems, and I hope that all branches of the state will do the same.”
The Prime Minister is accused of a series of crimes in three cases, including fraud or accepting bribes, although he denounced all of this as part of political persecution. In fact, he was able to return to power for a sixth term with operations already open, at the end of 2022.
Among the charges against him is the improper use of power to pressure the media to publish information in favor of the government. One case dates back to 2000, when he tried to reach an agreement with the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper to have it speak favorably about his administration in exchange for promoting legislation that would harm its main competitor, the Israel Hayom newspaper.
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, Netanyahu has expressed his regret that the trial against him constituted a burden that prevented him from carrying out his mission normally. The Prime Minister has submitted numerous requests to postpone his court appearance, citing issues related to health, security or diplomatic visits.
Two weeks ago, US President and top Netanyahu ally, Donald Trump, went so far as to send a letter to Herzog asking him to directly consider pardoning the prime minister by ensuring that the case against him was “politically motivated” from 2020 and ensuring that the crimes Netanyahu has been accused of are “unjust charges intended to do him great harm.”
The Israeli presidency begins studying the petition
In its first response, the Israeli presidential office avoided making an immediate statement, and indicated that it would carefully study the situation.
“This is an exceptional pardon request that has important implications. After receiving all opinions, the head of state will consider the matter responsibly and seriously,” the memorandum said.
President Herzog’s office explained in its statement that the request was submitted to the Legal Department of the Presidency by Prime Minister Amit Haddad’s lawyer, and from there it will be transferred to the Pardon Department of the Ministry of Justice, “which will take the opinions of all competent authorities.”
The statement concluded, “These opinions will then be conveyed to the Legal Adviser to the Presidency and her team to formulate an additional opinion for the President,” at which time Herzog will make a decision in this regard.