Netanyahu Asks Israel’s President for a Pardon in His Corruption Trial

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday asked the country’s president, Isaac Herzog, to pardon him in his long-running corruption trial, CBS News and NBC News reported.

“Today, my lawyers submitted a request for clemency to the President of the State,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a video address, per NBC News. “The continuation of the trial is tearing us apart from within.” He said that his personal interest was to see the process through “until I am fully acquitted of all charges,” but that the security and political realities and the national interest require otherwise. In his statement, CBS News reported, he said that an immediate end to the trial would “lower the flames” and promote reconciliation, and that having to be in court three times a week distracts him from leading the country.

Mr. Herzog’s office called it an “extraordinary request” with “significant implications” and said the president will “responsibly and sincerely consider the request” after receiving all relevant opinions, CBS News reported. CBS News said the request goes first to the justice ministry for an opinion, then to the legal adviser in the president’s office.

Mr. Netanyahu is charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three cases, both outlets reported; CBS News called him the only sitting prime minister in Israel’s history to stand trial, and NBC News described him as the first sitting Israeli leader to take the stand as a criminal defendant. He has not been convicted of anything and rejects the allegations, calling the case a witch hunt by the media, police and judiciary, CBS News said. NBC News said prosecutors allege that he accepted gifts, including cigars and champagne, in return for advancing the interests of two wealthy benefactors, neither of whom is charged.

President Trump has publicly urged a pardon. CBS News reported that he earlier in November sent a letter to Mr. Herzog calling the case a “political, unjustified prosecution,” and both CBS and NBC News said the request came weeks after Mr. Trump said Mr. Netanyahu should be pardoned.

The move triggered denunciations from Mr. Netanyahu’s opponents, who said it would weaken Israel’s democratic institutions and send a message that he is above the law, CBS News reported. The trial has been repeatedly delayed by war and unrest after the Oct. 2023 attacks led by Hamas, CBS News said, and the prime minister has testified multiple times over the past year.