Netanyahu Submits Request For A Pardon During His Ongoing Corruption Trial
TEL AVIV (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday asked the country’s president to pardon him on corruption charges; He wanted to end a long-running lawsuit that had bitterly divided the country.
Netanyahu, who is at war against the country’s legal system due to the accusations, said the request would help unify the country at a time when significant changes are taking place in the region. But this quickly sparked accusations from his opponents, who said it would weaken Israel’s democratic institutions and send a dangerous message that it is above the rule of law.
In the statement made by the Prime Ministry on Sunday, it was stated that Netanyahu requested amnesty to the Presidential Legal Department. The president’s office called it an “extraordinary request” with “significant consequences.”
Netanyahu became the only prime minister in Israeli history to be tried. He is accused of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate lawsuits accusing him of exchanging favors with wealthy political supporters. He hasn’t been convicted of anything yet.
Netanyahu denied the allegations and denounced the case as a witch hunt by the media, police and judiciary.
The request comes weeks after US President Donald Trump called on Israel to pardon Netanyahu. Earlier this month, Trump also sent a letter to President Isaac Herzog saying the corruption case was a “political, unfair prosecution.”
In a videotaped statement, Netanyahu said the case had divided the country and that the amnesty would help restore national unity. He also said having to appear in court three times a week was a distraction that made it difficult for him to govern the country.
“The continuation of the case is tearing us apart from within, fueling that division and deepening the cracks. I am sure, like so many others across the country, that the speedy conclusion of the case will greatly help reduce the flames and promote the broad reconciliation that our country desperately needs,” he said.
Netanyahu took the stand multiple times last year, but the trial has been postponed repeatedly as he deals with wars and unrest stemming from Hamas-led militant attacks in October 2023.
Netanyahu’s pardon request consisted of two documents: a detailed letter signed by his lawyer and a letter signed by Netanyahu himself. They will be sent to the ministry of justice for comments and will then be transferred to the Presidential Legal Advisor, who will prepare additional comments to the president.
Legal experts say a request for amnesty will not stop the case.
“This is impossible,” said Emi Palmor, former director general of the justice ministry.
“You cannot claim that you are innocent while the trial is ongoing and ask the president to intervene,” he said. He said the only way to stop the trial was to ask the attorney general to stop the trial.
Netanyahu’s request prompted an immediate reaction from the opposition, which urged the president not to give in to the demand.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said: “You cannot grant him a pardon without admitting his guilt, expressing his remorse and immediately retiring from political life.”
