ALBAWABA - On Sunday, Israel's political opposition told President Isaac Herzog to turn down Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request for a presidential pardon unless he admits guilt and quits politics for good. The appeal came after Netanyahu formally asked for a pardon to end his ongoing corruption trials.
Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition, said in a video on X that Netanyahu should only get a pardon if he admits to doing wrong, feels bad about it, and leaves politics right away.
Yair Golan, the head of the Democratic Party, said the same thing: "Only a guilty man seeks a pardon."
The Movement for Quality Government said that letting someone off the hook for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust would seriously hurt equality before the law. The protest group Brothers in Arms also spoke out against the move, saying it was an attempt to avoid being held accountable after years of inciting division and attacking the courts.
Naftali Bennett, a former prime minister, said he would support a formal deal that ends Netanyahu's trial if it means he has to leave public office for good.
Netanyahu's Reason
Herzog's office called Netanyahu's request "exceptional and highly consequential." It includes two letters: one from his legal team and one signed by him. Netanyahu says the trial is tearing Israeli society apart and making it harder for him to lead during times of high security risk, but he doesn't admit guilt. He also said that going to court three times a week is a "impossible requirement" that makes it hard for him to do his job as prime minister.
Netanyahu also said that Donald Trump, the former president of the United States, has asked for his pardon many times and even sent Herzog a letter asking for it right away
Review of the law is in progress
President Herzog hasn't set any specific conditions and has sent the request to the Justice Ministry's pardon department for expert review. Before Herzog makes a decision, a final recommendation will be made. However, in Israel, it is very rare for a pardon to be granted before a trial is over, and it usually requires a confession
Complete Legal Exposure
Netanyahu is currently on trial for three major corruption cases, known as Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000. These cases are based on claims of bribes, biased media coverage, and regulatory favors. He is also wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Gaza, where Israel's two-year war killed more than 70,000 people and injured 170,000, mostly women and children.
