Netanyahu Requests Pardon from Israeli President After Tr...

By Daniel Orton

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has submitted a formal request for a presidential pardon to Israel’s President Isaac Herzog, according to a new report from i24NEWS, just weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump implored Herzog to do the same.

The reported request includes an appeal from Netanyahu arguing that his corruption trial has become “a focus for fierce debates” in Israeli society and that ending the proceedings would help “reduce the intensity of the flames” dividing the country. He told Herzog that, despite his personal desire to continue the trial and “prove my innocence,” the broader public interest and his “ethical responsibility” as prime minister required seeking clemency to help restore national unity.

Herzog’s office called it “an extraordinary request, adding that the president would review all legal opinions while considering it, i24NEWS reported.

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Netanyahu’s request follows an unusually direct intervention by Trump, who earlier this month sent a formal letter to Herzog urging him to pardon the Israeli leader and denouncing the corruption case as politically motivated.

And during an address to the Israeli parliament in October, Trump went off script to appeal to Herzog.

"Hey, I have an idea Mr. President: Why don't you give him a pardon? Give him a pardon, come on," he said, pointing at Netanyahu.

Pro-Netanyahu lawmakers gave Trump a long standing ovation and shouted Netanyahu's nickname: "Bibi! Bibi!"

The U.S. president has long aligned himself with Netanyahu and framed the Israeli prime minister’s legal troubles as parallel to his own.

What Is Netanyahu Charged With?

Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust following years of investigations. The indictments, announced by the Israeli Justice Ministry, stem from three separate cases involving allegations of corruption and misuse of power. Netanyahu has consistently denied all charges, framing the trial as politically motivated.

Prosecutors allege that Netanyahu accepted extravagant gifts, including champagne and cigars, from billionaire benefactors such as Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan. In return, he is accused of offering regulatory favors and trading influence with media executives to secure favorable coverage. These claims have reinforced a long-standing perception of Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, as enjoying a lavish lifestyle at public expense.

The trial has been extensive, with around 140 witnesses called to testify, including some of Netanyahu’s closest former allies. Evidence presented includes recordings, text messages, and police documents, painting a detailed picture of the alleged quid pro quo arrangements. Despite the gravity of the charges, proceedings have faced delays, most recently in June, due to diplomatic and security considerations.

Donald Trump's Letter to Isaac Herzog in Full

Dear Mr. President,

It is my honor to write to you at this historic time, as we have, together, just secured peace that has been sought for at least 3,000 years. I hereby thank you, and all Israelis, again, for your gracious and warm hospitality, and am addressing a key topic of my speech at the Knesset.

As the Great State of Israel and the amazing Jewish People move past the terribly difficult times of the last three years, I hereby call on you to fully pardon Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been a formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister, and is now leading Israel into a time of peace, which includes my continued work with key Middle East leaders to add many additional countries to the world changing Abraham Accords.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has stood tall for Israel in the face of strong adversaries and long odds, and his attention cannot be unnecessarily diverted.

While I absolutely respect the independence of the Israeli Justice System, and its requirements, I believe that this "case" against Bibi, who has fought alongside me for a long time, including against the very tough adversary of Israel, Iran, is a political, unjustified prosecution.

Isaac, we have established a great relationship, one that I am very thankful for and honored by, and we agreed as soon as I was inaugurated in January that the focus had to be centered on finally bringing the hostages home and getting the peace agreement done.

Now that we have achieved these unprecedented successes, and are keeping Hamas in check, it is time to let Bibi unite Israel by pardoning him, and ending that lawfare once and for all.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

DONALD J. TRUMPPRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

More to follow.

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