Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has faced corruption charges for years, has officially requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog, the president's office announced on Sunday. Netanyahu stated that ending his trial immediately would help the much-needed internal reconciliation. The president's office confirmed that the request was sent through Netanyahu's lawyer for a pardon in the trial where he faces three cases of corruption, fraud, breach of trust, and bribery.
The president's office detailed that the request has been transferred to the Pardons Department of the Ministry of Justice, which will collect the opinions of the relevant authorities. These opinions will be sent to Herzog's legal advisor for him to formulate his opinion.
The letter from Netanyahu's legal team, released by the presidency, begins by mentioning Trump's letter and requests a pardon and the conclusion of the criminal proceedings against the prime minister based on it.
The letter from Netanyahu's team repeatedly states that his "personal interest" is to continue the trial with the certainty that he will be acquitted. Netanyahu believes that the corruption cases he is being tried for lead to divisions, and added in a recorded statement: "Continuing the trial is tearing us apart from within, causing sharp divisions, and deepening the rift."
He said: "I am confident, as many in Israel believe, that ending the trial immediately will greatly help reduce tensions and promote broad reconciliation, which Israel is in dire need of." Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump had appealed to Herzog in a letter to pardon Netanyahu.
