Tel Aviv, November 30 (IANS). Benjamin Netanyahu appealed to the Israeli president for mercy to end the case against him and declare him innocent. He called for an end to the five-year corruption case, saying the amnesty would be in the “public interest”. Isaac Herzog’s office acknowledged receiving the detailed 111-page document from the prime minister’s lawyer and said it had been sent to the Justice Ministry’s amnesty department, according to The Times of Israel. It went on to say that the president’s legal advisers will also form an opinion before Herzog makes a decision. “The president’s office recognizes that this is a major request with major implications,” a statement from his office said. “After receiving all necessary opinions, the president will consider this request responsibly and honestly.” In Israel, there is almost no case of the president granting a pardon before sentencing. An example comes from 1986, when the accused in a specific corruption case involving the Shin Bet Security Service were pardoned without admitting guilt. This request was made a few weeks after Donald Trump’s letter to Herzog. Trump also asked the president to pardon Netanyahu. Netanyahu has been on trial for the last five years, ie 2020, on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust of the country. These allegations involve allegedly demanding political favors from wealthy supporters in exchange for gifts or positive media coverage. Netanyahu rejected these allegations. He calls it a “witch hunt” carried out by the media, police and judiciary. On the other hand, the opposition became vociferous as soon as the news of this apology came to light. Critics accused him of prolonging the war in Gaza to keep his coalition together so he could stay in office and avoid legal threats. In a short letter included in his legal documents and a televised statement released on Sunday, Netanyahu argued that while he has a personal interest in proving his innocence in court, it is necessary to end the trial immediately in the ‘national interest’.” –IANS KR/ Share this story Tags