JERUSALEM (AP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made a request for a pardon from the president amid ongoing corruption trials that have polarized the nation. This request has sparked outrage among opposition politicians and government watchdogs, though some Israelis have expressed support, suggesting it’s time to close this chapter. The president’s office described the pardon request as “extraordinary” and noted that it carries “significant implications” for both the integrity of Israel’s justice system and Netanyahu’s political future.
Netanyahu is the first sitting prime minister in Israel to be tried for corruption, facing charges of fraud, breach of trust, and bribery in three separate cases. He is accused of trading favors with affluent supporters, including individuals linked to a telecommunications company, a Hollywood producer, and a newspaper publisher. The Israel Justice Ministry announced these indictments in 2019, following extensive investigations, and the trial officially began in May 2020.
Throughout the proceedings, Netanyahu has steadfastly denied the charges, labeling the case a “witch hunt” orchestrated by media, police, and judiciary factions intending to undermine him. Despite the ongoing trial, he has not been convicted and has repeatedly sought delays, attributing them to diplomatic engagements and security issues stemming from Israel’s conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran over the past two years. Earlier postponements were related to political crises that had gridlocked the Israeli government, culminating in Netanyahu's return to power in late 2022.
Netanyahu argues that his request for a pardon is intended to foster unity within Israel at a time when the Middle East is undergoing significant changes. He posited that resolving the trial quickly could help “lower the flames” of discord and encourage reconciliation, which he claims the nation urgently needs. Some members of his cabinet, such as Defense Minister Israel Katz, have voiced support for his request. Additionally, former U.S. President Donald Trump recently urged Israel to consider pardoning Netanyahu, characterizing the corruption case as a “political, unjustified prosecution.”
Public sentiment regarding Netanyahu and legal matters is sensitive among many Israelis. Shortly after forming his government in late 2022, he initiated plans to overhaul the judicial system, igniting massive protests and accusations from opponents that he was working to weaken checks and balances during a trial in which he is the defendant. This contentious plan resurfaced earlier this year after being temporarily paused due to the ongoing war in Gaza.
Critics of Netanyahu’s pardon request have warned that it could undermine democratic institutions and convey a dangerous precedent of impunity for public figures. Yohanan Plesner, president of The Israel Democracy Institute, highlighted the implications of Netanyahu’s defense, asserting that he implies his innocence while shifting the responsibility for the request onto the broader national interest, potentially eroding public trust in governance norms. Opposition leader Yair Lapid demanded that any pardon should come only with an admission of guilt, a demonstration of remorse, and Netanyahu’s immediate exit from politics.
Legal experts have clarified that the pardon request does not halt the ongoing trial; only a formal request to the Attorney General can do that. The president’s office will review the pardon request and formulate opinions based on it, although it is traditionally expected that such requests are only considered after all legal matters have concluded. The Israel Democracy Institute noted that granting a pardon before a conviction is exceedingly rare and could jeopardize the rule of law, representing a serious affront to the principle of equality before the law.
