Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog, a request that former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly supported.
Petition Filed to Israeli President
Netanyahu submitted a request for a pardon to President Isaac Herzog amid an ongoing corruption trial. He has denied all charges.
The trial began in 2020 and continues to this day.
Trump Endorses Petition
Former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly backed Netanyahu’s pardon request. The endorsement followed the release of the petition.
Content of the Petition
The more than 100‑page petition, drafted by Prime Minister’s lawyer Amit Hadad, argues that a pardon would allow Netanyahu to devote himself to Israel’s development and reduce social tensions.
The petition was sent to Herzog’s Legal Affairs Department; the Justice Ministry’s Clemency Department will seek opinions from relevant authorities before Herzog’s decision.
Accusations Against Netanyahu
In November 2019, Israel’s Attorney General charged Netanyahu with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
The most serious allegation concerns his relationship with telecom giant Bezeq, where he allegedly secured favorable legal changes for the company in exchange for positive coverage on the company’s news site.
He is also accused of accepting gifts from billionaires and of collaborating with a newspaper that favored him.
Legal Context
Netanyahu previously stated he would not seek a pardon in exchange for a confession.
The case remains open, and Herzog’s review will be decided after legal counsel’s recommendation.