Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently facing a long-running corruption trial, has formally submitted a request to the country’s president seeking a full presidential pardon.
Netanyahu — the first sitting Israeli prime minister ever to stand trial — stated that the case has deeply divided the nation, and that a pardon would help restore national unity.
He also argued that the requirement to appear in court three times a week is a distraction that makes it difficult for him to effectively lead the country.
The office of President Isaac Herzog confirmed receiving the request, calling it “an extraordinary appeal” with significant implications. The president, according to the statement, will “responsibly and sincerely review the request” after consultations with the Ministry of Justice and relevant legal authorities.
This development follows a letter sent earlier this month by U.S. President Donald Trump, urging President Herzog to grant Netanyahu a full pardon.
Netanyahu’s trial, which began in 2020, remains ongoing. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including bribery and fraud, stemming from three separate cases filed against him in 2019 — among them accusations of accepting gifts from business figures.
Despite the proceedings, Netanyahu maintains that he will be fully exonerated, even once the trial concludes.
