Overview
- President Isaac Herzog acknowledged the request is contentious and said he will consider it precisely and solely in the state's interest.
- The president's office has forwarded the filing to legal advisers and the Justice Ministry's pardons unit to gather opinions before a recommendation returns to Herzog.
- The application consists of a detailed brief from attorney Amit Hadad and a personal letter in which Benjamin Netanyahu denies wrongdoing and frames a pardon as a step toward national unity, citing burdensome court attendance.
- Opposition leader Yair Lapid urged Herzog to refuse unless Netanyahu admits guilt, shows remorse, and exits political life.
- Legal experts, including the Israel Democracy Institute's Yohanan Plesner, warn a pre-verdict pardon would be extraordinary and could weaken trust in the rule of law, while U.S. President Donald Trump has previously pressed Herzog to pardon Netanyahu in a letter.