The prime minister has been plagued by a major corruption scandal for nearly a decade already
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has submitted a formal pardon request to President Isaac Herzog, the presidential office has announced. The PM has been plagued by corruption allegations since the mid-2010s, yet consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Herzog’s office on Sunday said it had received a letter from Netanyahu and a massive 111-page document from his lawyer Amit Hadad. The presidency said it was aware “that this is an extraordinary request” that potentially carries “significant implications.”
“Granting this request will allow the prime minister to devote all of his time, abilities, and energy to advancing Israel in these critical times and to dealing with the challenges and opportunities that lie before it,” Hadad argued in the request.
Granting the prime minister a pardon would supposedly “help mend rifts between different sectors of the public,” as well as contribute to “strengthening the country’s national resilience,” Netanyahu’s lawyer suggested.
The request will be examined by the legal department of the presidency, while the Justice Ministry’s pardons department “will gather the opinions of all the relevant authorities in the ministry,” Herzog’s office said.
“After receiving all of the relevant opinions, the president will responsibly and sincerely consider the request,” the office added.
While the Israeli president is largely a ceremonial figure, he holds the power to grant pardons. The procedure usually applies to those convicted, but in rare cases, a pardon can be granted even before legal proceedings are concluded, should it be considered in the public interest. Previously, Netanyahu ruled out requesting a pardon if it would mean admitting guilt, as he denied any wrongdoing.
The PM has been plagued by corruption allegations for nearly a decade already. Netanyahu was indicted on bribery, fraud, and breach of trust charges in 2019, yet his trial is still far from being concluded. Netanyahu’s critics have accused him of deliberately prolonging the conflicts with Israel’s neighbors to shield himself from legal proceedings and cling to power.
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