Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing trial on corruption charges, has submitted a request for clemency to President Isaac Herzog, arguing that lengthy judicial proceedings are dividing the country. Netanyahu – who denies the accusations against him – is immersed in at least three ongoing legal proceedings, in which no ruling has been issued yet. US President Donald Trump wrote to Herzog earlier this month asking him to pardon Netanyahu, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the ongoing court proceedings. The Israeli President’s Office indicated that “this is an exceptional request that carries important implications.”
“After receiving all relevant opinions, the president will consider the request responsibly and sincerely,” a statement said. Although he claimed that he wanted to continue the trial until the end to prove his innocence, Netanyahu later justified this request in the name of the “public interest” in a video clip published by his agencies, in which he highlighted the “tremendous challenges” facing the country.