Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has submitted a formal request for a presidential pardon, reversing his earlier refusal to pursue clemency as legal pressure continues to mount in his long-running corruption trial.
Netanyahu, who has been standing trial since 2020 on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, confirmed the move days after it emerged that US President Donald Trump had urged Israel’s head of state, Isaac Herzog, to intervene on his behalf. Only weeks ago, Netanyahu publicly ruled out seeking a pardon.
The request has immediately deepened political divisions in Israel, drawing sharp rebukes from opposition leaders who argue that clemency without accountability would damage democratic norms.
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid urged President Herzog to reject the application unless Netanyahu formally accepts responsibility.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has submitted a formal request for a presidential pardon, reversing his earlier refusal to pursue clemency as legal pressure continues to mount in his long-running corruption trial.
Netanyahu, who has been standing trial since 2020 on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, confirmed the move days after it emerged that US President Donald Trump had urged Israel’s head of state, Isaac Herzog, to intervene on his behalf. Only weeks ago, Netanyahu publicly ruled out seeking a pardon.
The Office of the President said the application process had been formally triggered and would now proceed through legal review channels.
“In accordance with the guidelines and procedures, the request is currently being transferred to the Pardons Department in the Ministry of Justice which will gather the opinions of all the relevant authorities in the Ministry of Justice,” the statement said.
“Following this, their opinions will be transferred to the Legal Advisor in the Office of the President and her team to formulate an additional opinion for the President.
“The Office of the President is aware that this is an extraordinary request which carries with it significant implications. After receiving all of the relevant opinions, the President will responsibly and sincerely consider the request.”
The president’s office said Netanyahu’s application included two letters — one signed by the prime minister himself and another submitted by his lawyer, Amit Hadad.
“Given the importance of this extraordinary request and its implications, the documents are being released for publication (in Hebrew),” the statement said.
However, the released documents contain no admission of wrongdoing — a departure from standard practice in Israel, where pardon requests typically include an acknowledgment of guilt.
Appeal framed as act of ‘national interest’
Speaking a short time after the announcement in a video message, Netanyahu insisted the request had been made for the sake of the country — not himself — and said he believed the court process would ultimately clear him.
“As exonerating evidence that completely disproves the false claims against me is revealed in court, and as it becomes clear that the case against me was built through serious violations, my personal interest was and remains to continue this process to its end, until full acquittal on all counts,” he said.
“But the security and political reality, the national interest, demands otherwise. Israel faces enormous challenges, alongside tremendous opportunities. To counter these threats and seize these opportunities, national unity is essential.
“The ongoing trial tears us apart from within, fuels fierce disagreements, and deepens divisions. I am sure, like many others, that ending the trial immediately would help lower tensions and promote the broad reconciliation our country so desperately needs.”
Netanyahu also described the demands of the trial as unworkable given his office, saying that appearing in court three times a week was “an impossible demand not required of any other Israeli citizen”.
He said external diplomatic considerations also played a role in the timing of the request, particularly pressure from Washington.
He said he took Mr Trump’s appeals into consideration and did not want to miss the “time window that may not return” to work on shared interests with the US.
“I expect anyone who has the country’s best interests at heart to support this step.”
Political fault lines widen
The request has immediately deepened political divisions in Israel, drawing sharp rebukes from opposition leaders who argue that clemency without accountability would damage democratic norms.
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid urged President Herzog to reject the application unless Netanyahu formally accepts responsibility.
“I call on President Herzog — you cannot pardon Netanyahu without an admission of guilt, expression of regret, and immediate retirement from political life,” he said.
Democrats party leader Yair Golan struck a similar tone, accusing Netanyahu of seeking to escape consequences.
“The only exchange deal on the table is that Netanyahu will take responsibility, admit guilt, leave politics and free the people and the state — Only in this way will unity be achieved among the people,” he posted on X.
“Only the guilty asks for pardon.”
In contrast, support has come from within Netanyahu’s own political bloc. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir backed the move, claiming the case had vindicated allegations of institutional bias.
“And although I believe that the Prime Minister deserves a full acquittal and a cleansing of corruption in the Attorney General’s Office, out of national responsibility, I support the pardon request,” he wrote on X.
President Herzog has not indicated how he is inclined to rule. His office said the decision would come only after receiving formal legal advice and completing the consultation process.
Adapted From: ABC News
