Former Israeli PM Netanyahu Seeks Pardon from President Amid Legal Battles

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a presidential pardon from President Isaac Herzog on Sunday, following pressure from US President Donald Trump who sent a letter urging clemency for the embattled leader. This marks a significant moment in Netanyahu's ongoing corruption trial that has stretched on for years.

The pardon request comes after Trump directly intervened in the matter by writing to Herzog. The US president's involvement adds international pressure to what has been a domestic legal battle that has dominated Israeli politics.

Israeli Channel 14 reported that President Herzog is willing to move forward with pardoning Netanyahu, but only under specific conditions. The prime minister would need to either admit guilt in the corruption cases or pledge not to run in future elections. These conditions create a difficult choice for Netanyahu, who has maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings.

Netanyahu has been facing trial on multiple corruption charges for several years now. The cases have created ongoing political instability in Israel, with the prime minister continuing to serve while defending himself in court. The charges include bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases involving alleged exchanges of favors with media moguls and wealthy businesspeople.

The timing of this pardon request is particularly notable given the current regional tensions and Israel's military operations. A resolution to Netanyahu's legal troubles could potentially reshape Israeli politics, but accepting a pardon with conditions might also signal the end of his long political career.

Herzog now faces a decision that will have lasting implications for Israeli democracy and the rule of law. Presidential pardons are rare in Israel, and this case involves the country's longest-serving prime minister while he remains in office.