Overview
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu submitted a pardon request on November 30 and argued in a video address that continuing his trials deepens divisions and distracts from security and diplomacy.
- President Isaac Herzog's office called the plea an exceptional request with significant social implications and said it will consider it seriously.
- Israeli law grants the president pardon authority, and customary practice involves Justice Ministry input, leaving the outcome uncertain.
- Netanyahu has been on trial since his 2019 indictment on charges including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust tied to alleged favors for a telecom company in exchange for favorable coverage.
- Opposition parties urged rejection and warned of public backlash, and U.S. President Donald Trump previously sent a letter urging Herzog to grant a full pardon.