Overview
- Herzog’s office confirmed receipt of the application, sent it to the Justice Ministry’s Pardons Department, and invited legal opinions and public input.
- Netanyahu argues ending the trial would let him focus on security and regional diplomacy without admitting guilt, a stance the opposition rejects without remorse and an exit from politics.
- Axios reports Netanyahu asked President Trump in a Monday call to keep advocating for clemency after Trump’s earlier letter urging a pardon.
- Legal experts say pre-conviction pardons are exceptional in Israel, with procedures requiring consultations and noting rare precedents such as the Bus 300 case.
- Speaking at the New York Times DealBook Summit, Netanyahu called the charges a “witch hunt” and said he will visit New York despite Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s statements about enforcing ICC warrants.