Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sent an official clemency petition to President Isaac Herzog, arguing that halting his years-long bribery, fraud and breach-of-trust trial is essential for the stability of the state and the public good.
Netanyahu’s lawyers submitted the request to the president’s office, contending that the drawn-out proceedings are undermining his capacity to govern and deepening social and political rifts in Israel. The prime minister maintains his innocence in all three graft cases and says he still believes the court would eventually clear him, but insists that ending the trial now would better serve the national interest.
President Herzog’s office has acknowledged receiving what it called an “exceptional” appeal with major legal and political ramifications and has begun the standard process of consulting the Justice Ministry and advisers before making a decision. There is no set timetable for a ruling, and under Israeli practice, pardons are usually considered only after a conviction, making Netanyahu’s mid-trial request highly unusual.
The move follows public pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who earlier in November urged Herzog in a letter to fully pardon Netanyahu, arguing that the case is politically motivated and hampers Israel’s leadership at a time of serious security and diplomatic challenges. While allies on the right have hailed the request as necessary to protect national security and restore unity, opposition figures have condemned it as an attempt by Netanyahu to avoid judicial scrutiny while remaining in power.
