Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, has formally requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog regarding the bribery and fraud charges stemming from a five-year corruption trial. Since 2020, Netanyahu has kept himself out of jail through a legal conflict replete with corruption charges. He is currently under indictment for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
In a letter of recommendation submitted to President Herzog, Netanyahu argues that a pardon would be in the “public interest.” Throughout the trial, he claims its impact on national unity has been corrosive and “tearing us apart.” He continues to claim he’s innocent and to call the case a “witch-hunt” instigated by the media, police and judiciary. First and foremost, perhaps, he is concerned that the long term legal fights could hinder his ability to govern.
Netanyahu’s ongoing trial focuses on claims that he received lavish gifts and political quid pro quos. In exchange, he reportedly delivered privileged media outlets to a wealthy benefactor with great coverage. Yet accusations have clouded his administration’s legacy. Critics argue that Netanyahu is using the broadened military offensive to target critics in Gaza and shoring up his coalition so he stays in power with elections due next year.
On Sunday, Netanyahu released a televised statement alongside his written request for a pardon. He emphasized his desire to demonstrate his innocence in court but suggested that halting the trial could foster greater national cohesion.
“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.” – Benjamin Netanyahu
Israel has only seen a handful of presidential pardons granted before a conviction in its history. The famed exception was an Israeli 1986 case—concerning the Shin Bet security service. Legal experts contend this precedent would not directly apply to Netanyahu’s case. They cite his failure to accept responsibility or step down as a matter of particular shame. Analysts contend that this lack of contrition makes it difficult (if not impossible) for Herzog to grant Herzog a pardon.
Opposition leaders and civil society figures have come out very strongly against Netanyahu’s request. Yair Lapid, a prominent political opponent, articulated that a pardon would require an admission of guilt and an expression of remorse, alongside Netanyahu’s withdrawal from political life.
“You cannot grant Netanyahu a pardon without an admission of guilt, an expression of remorse, and an immediate withdrawal from political life.” – Yair Lapid
One of these leaders, former Israeli Deputy Minister Yair Golan, called for outright fervor for a singular, cohesive people. He doesn’t think real unity is possible until Netanyahu truly takes responsibility and removes himself from political life.
“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 then will unity be achieved among the people.” – Yair Golan
Yet as Netanyahu tries to embrace this deeply politicized and challenging legal terrain, Israeli society is increasingly fracturing along deepening cultural and political faultlines. His many critics are still as hardlined and hardened as ever, unwilling to accept any possible pardon as anything other than an (effective) escape from accountability.