Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally asked President Isaac Herzog on Sunday (Nov. 30) to pardon him from ongoing corruption charges in an effort to halt a six-year trial. In a video statement, Netanyahu said the request was driven by national interest, not personal gain. “The state of Israel faces enormous challenges,” he said. His office confirmed that a detailed letter from his lawyer and a personal letter had been submitted to the president’s legal department. Herzog’s office called it an “extraordinary request” that has “significant implications.” times a week is an impossible requirement, he said, adding that while he wants to proceed until acquittal, “security and political reality – the national interest – dictate otherwise He said ending the trial would help “lower the flames and promote the broad reconciliation that our country so desperately needs.” three separate cases He is accused of giving lavish gifts worth more than sought $260,000 from wealthy benefactors in exchange for political favors He denies wrongdoing, calling the case a political “witch hunt” led by the media, police and judiciary The trial was repeated during the handling of the 20 attack Opposition condemned move The request immediately drew sharp condemnation from opposition leaders, Yair Lapid said Herzog should reject the application unless Netanyahu accepts responsibility “You cannot grant him a pardon without an admission of guilt, a remorse and an immediate exit from political life,” Lapid said weakens Israel’s democratic institutions and signals that leaders are above the law The development comes weeks after US President Donald Trump publicly requested Israel to Netanyahu Earlier this month, in a letter to Herzog, the corruption case a “political, unjustified prosecution, he said he would first assess the request to Herzog by the Ministry of Justice before reviewing it to the president ‘s legal advisers are sent, who will prepare recommendations for Herzog, is not bound by a deadline, but any decision – approval or rejection.
