Overview
- President Isaac Herzog’s office confirmed receipt on Sunday, published the filing, and said it will solicit legal opinions before making a decision.
- The request, prepared by attorney Amit Hadad and accompanied by Netanyahu’s letter, asks to cancel or suspend proceedings while asserting his innocence and offering no resignation.
- Israeli law permits pardons after conviction and, in rare exceptions, before; the presidency and Justice Ministry pardon units will formulate recommendations.
- Netanyahu’s trial, underway since 2020, spans Cases 1000, 2000 and 4000 alleging luxury gifts, a proposed media-favor deal, and regulatory benefits for a telecom owner in exchange for favorable coverage.
- Opposition leaders and hostage families denounced the move and urged him to quit politics, and Trump recently urged Herzog to grant clemency.