Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has submitted a request for a pardon to the country's President Isaac Herzog.
The president's office stated that Herzog would solicit opinions from justice officials before considering this extraordinary request which carries with it significant implications.
Netanyahu has been standing trial for the past five years over charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust across three separate cases; he denounces all accusations as baseless.
In a recent video message, Netanyahu expressed his desire to see the judicial process through but claimed that the national interest demanded otherwise.
Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Herzog to fully pardon Netanyahu, emphasizing the need for legislative action.
Herzog indicated that any individual seeking a pardon must submit a formal request. On Sunday, the president's office released the request, highlighting the urgency of the matter.
There is no timeline established for when Herzog will make a decision on the requested pardon.
Netanyahu became the first sitting Israeli prime minister to stand trial in 2020. He is accused of accepting gifts from powerful businessmen, offering favors in exchange for favorable media coverage, and promoting regulations benefitting major corporate entities.
Law enforcement officials maintain that the allegations against Netanyahu substantiate a lasting judicial challenge, one that could test the country's legal and political frameworks.
He has maintained his innocence, describing the ongoing trial as a politically charged witch-hunt.
In addressing the public, Netanyahu acknowledged that the trial tears us apart from within amid a backdrop of unprecedented national challenges and opportunities requiring unity.
According to Israel's Basic Law, the president has the authority to grant pardons, but past rulings have suggested this may occur pre-conviction if deemed in the public interest.
The political landscape remains complex, with Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party backing the request, while many on the left warn that such a pardon undermines the nation's commitment to democracy and rule of law.
Protests have erupted concerning government plans for judicial reform, reflecting widespread apprehension over perceived threats to judicial independence—fears exacerbated since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023.
