Today, Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, through his lawyer, sent a request for pardon to the country’s president, Isaac Herzog, as part of the trial in which he faces three cases of corruption, fraud, abuse of trust, and bribery, according to what was confirmed by the head of the State Court.
The Israeli presidency said in a statement, “The President’s Office realizes that this is an exceptional request that carries important implications. After receiving all relevant opinions, the President will consider the request sincerely and responsibly.”
In early November, US President Donald Trump appealed to Herzog in a letter to pardon Netanyahu, defending his role in running the country.
Indeed, during his visit in October, the US President reiterated his request in the Israeli parliament: “Why don’t you grant him a pardon?” Then he told the president. “Who cares about some cigars and champagne?” He added, trying to reduce the accusations of political corruption facing Netanyahu.
The letter from Netanyahu’s legal team, published by the presidency, begins with a reference to Trump’s letter and his request, based on it, for a pardon and the completion of criminal proceedings against the prime minister.
The Head of State explained that the request has been transferred to the Pardon Department of the Ministry of Justice, which will collect the opinions of the competent authorities in this portfolio, in the hands of Yariv Levin, from the Likud Party (Netanyahu’s party). These opinions will be sent to Herzog’s legal advisor so he can formulate his opinion.
“The criminal proceedings in the prime minister’s case harm the interests of the State of Israel, exacerbate differences between different sectors of the population and distract the public’s attention from the political and security issues on the national agenda,” the Netanyahu team’s letter said.
The conclusion of the trial is for the “good” of Israel
The president’s lawyers rely on his “management” of the conflicts that Israel has faced in the past two years, such as the attack on Gaza after the October 7 attacks, the attack on Lebanon, the attacks on the Houthis in Yemen, the war in Iran, or the growing tensions with Syria.
They point out that “it is clear that the Prime Minister must, from now on, devote all his strength, energy, time and intelligence to leading the State of Israel.”
Netanyahu’s letter stated on numerous occasions that his “personal interest” was to continue the trial in the “certainty” that he would be acquitted. In contrast, he asserts that Israel’s “state interest,” understood as the public interest, depends on the conclusion of the trial.
The statement read, “The Prime Minister is ready to ask His Excellency for clemency, although in doing so he waives his right to pursue the legal proceedings in his case until the end, and this, as was said, is due to the public interest. The interest of the people and the state has always been and will remain before the eyes of the Prime Minister, and this is the case now.”
Three corruption cases were opened
Netanyahu is being tried in what is known as “Case No. 1000”, accused of receiving gifts from Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan in exchange for political favors. In “Case No. 2000” in which he allegedly benefited from the editor-in-chief of Yedioth Ahronoth, Arnon “Noni” Mozes, in a fraud and breach of trust scandal to harm the rival newspaper, Israel Hayom.
In addition, he is being tried for allegedly committing – in his second term as Minister of Communications (2015-2017) – the crime of bribing businessman Shaul Elovitch, who controlled the telecommunications company Bezeq and the Walla News website, to obtain positive media coverage.
The Israeli Prime Minister, who claims that the trials against him are a “witch hunt” and a “deep state” conspiracy, is the first head of government in Israel’s history to be tried while in office.