Netanyahu Seeks Pardon Amidst Corruption Trial, Sparking National Debate

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally submitted an "extraordinary request" for a pardon to the legal department of President Isaac Herzog's office, as reported by sky News on Sunday, November 30, 2025. This significant development comes amidst his protracted corruption trial, which has deeply polarized the nation.

The request, confirmed by the Prime Minister's Office, seeks to halt the ongoing legal proceedings that have seen Netanyahu facing charges of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes. Al-Monitor noted that Netanyahu stated the long-running cases were "tearing the country apart" and hindering his ability to govern effectively.

Netanyahu, the only sitting Prime Minister in Israel's history to stand trial, has consistently denied any wrongdoing, describing the allegations as a "witch-hunt" orchestrated by his political adversaries and the media, according to AP News. His lawyers submitted a detailed 111-page letter to President Herzog, arguing that a pardon would serve the national interest.

The timing of the request follows a letter from former U.S. President Donald Trump to President Herzog earlier this month, urging a pardon for Netanyahu. Trump's letter called the corruption case "political, unjustified prosecution," as reported by cbc News.

President Herzog's office acknowledged the receipt of the submission, emphasizing its "extraordinary" nature and "significant implications," according to The Guardian. The President's office stated it would "responsibly and sincerely consider the request" after receiving all relevant opinions from the Justice Ministry and legal departments.

Netanyahu himself, in a video statement, did not admit guilt but argued that a pardon would allow him to dedicate his full attention to advancing Israel's interests during critical times, as reported by vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com. He also cited the burden of testifying three times a week as an "impossible demand" for a sitting prime minister.

The move has ignited a fierce debate across Israel's political spectrum, with supporters echoing Netanyahu's claims of political persecution and opponents warning against undermining the rule of law. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that granting the pardon would "bring an end to the legal charges that were born in sin," according to vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com.

• Background to the Corruption Charges: Prime Minister Netanyahu's legal troubles began with investigations launched as early as December 2016, culminating in his indictment in November 2019. The trial, which commenced in May 2020, involves three primary cases: Case 1000 (the "Gifts Affair"), Case 2000 (the "Yedioth Ahronoth-Israel Hayom Affair"), and Case 4000 (the "Bezeq-Walla Affair"). These cases allege a pattern of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, as detailed by Al Jazeera and Wikipedia.

• Specific Allegations in Each Case: In Case 1000, Netanyahu is accused of receiving lavish gifts, including cigars and champagne worth approximately 700,000 shekels ($213,500), from wealthy businessmen Arnon Milchan and James Packer in exchange for political favors, according to The Jerusalem Post. Case 2000 involves alleged negotiations with newspaper publisher Arnon Mozes for favorable media coverage in exchange for legislation that would harm a rival newspaper. Case 4000, considered the most serious, charges Netanyahu with advancing regulatory decisions beneficial to Bezeq telecommunications company in return for positive coverage on the Walla news website, owned by Bezeq's controlling shareholder, as reported by The Jerusalem Post and Al Jazeera.

• The Israeli Pardon Process: In Israel, the President holds the authority to pardon offenders or commute sentences, a power rooted in the Basic Law: The President of the State, as explained by Gov.il. Typically, a pardon request is reviewed only after all legal proceedings have concluded and a conviction has been made. The Israel Democracy Institute noted that a pre-conviction pardon, while legally possible, is "extremely rare" and could threaten the rule of law.

• Political and Societal Division: The corruption trial has been a significant source of political instability and societal division in Israel for years, as highlighted by The Jerusalem Post. Netanyahu's critics argue that a pardon without an admission of guilt or resignation would undermine democratic institutions and send a message that some individuals are above the law. Opposition leader Yair Lapid stated that a pardon requires "an admission of guilt, an expression of remorse, and an immediate withdrawal from political life," according to cbc News.

• Precedents and Legal Opinions: While pre-conviction pardons are rare, the 1986 "Bus 300 affair" serves as a notable exception, where President Chaim Herzog granted pardons to Shin Bet officials before indictment. However, legal experts like Eli Salzberger, a law professor at the University of Haifa, told The Hindu that this case involved security officials, not a sitting national leader, making Netanyahu's situation unprecedented. Emi Palmor, former director-general of the Justice Ministry, stated that a pardon request cannot stop the trial; only the Attorney General can withhold proceedings.

• Next Steps in the Process: Following its submission, Netanyahu's pardon request will undergo a rigorous review. The President's office will forward it to the Justice Ministry's Pardons Department for professional evaluation, which includes gathering opinions from various officials like the police and prosecution, as detailed by Gov.il. The President's legal adviser will then formulate an opinion before President Herzog makes a final decision, a process that could span weeks or even months, according to The Jerusalem Post.

• International and Domestic Pressure: The request is also influenced by international figures, notably former U.S. President Donald Trump, who publicly urged President Herzog to grant a pardon, as reported by The Guardian. Domestically, while some Israelis support the pardon to end the national division, advocacy groups like the Movement for Quality Government in Israel have strongly opposed it, asserting that it would be "a deadly blow to the rule of law," according to cbc News.