Netanyahu Pardon Request - Department to Submit Recommendation Amid Trump Pressure

The Pardons Department at Israel’s Ministry of Justice is expected to submit its recommendation on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pardon request in the coming days. So far, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Mayara and the Attorney General’s Office have not conveyed their positions, despite being approached three months ago. Legal experts warn that approving the pardon without their input could be considered a procedural flaw.

Responding to reports that he had promised US President Donald Trump he would pardon Netanyahu, President Yitzhak Herzog clarified Thursday evening:
"The President of the State is not dealing with the issue of pardon under any external influence. Israel is a sovereign state of law. The Prime Minister’s request is being processed in accordance with the Ministry of Justice's rules. After the process is complete, I will review the request according to the law, the good of the state, and the dictates of my conscience."

Channel 12 reported that Trump had urged Herzog to grant the pardon immediately, claiming Herzog had promised to do so multiple times. Trump also criticized Herzog in previous statements, calling him "shameful" for not granting the pardon and stating that “the citizens of Israel should be ashamed.”

Herzog’s office has previously described Trump’s remarks as an affront to Israeli sovereignty, noting that clarification was being sought from Netanyahu on whether the prime minister had asked Trump to escalate his criticism of Herzog. Sources close to Netanyahu responded that Trump’s comments reflected his personal opinion alone.

Netanyahu’s Request: No Admission of Guilt

Netanyahu submitted his pardon request in November without admitting guilt or expressing remorse. His lawyers argued that granting the pardon could “heal rifts between various segments of the population, reduce tension, and strengthen national resilience.” They maintain that the president has the authority to grant a pardon even without a conviction.

Herzog’s Careful Approach

President Herzog has repeatedly emphasized that any pardon request must follow proper legal procedures. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, he acknowledged that Netanyahu’s trial was having negative effects on the country. Still, he stressed that solutions must adhere to the law.

Herzog also addressed Trump’s public support, stating that while he respects the former US president, he will not violate Israeli legal processes.

Historical Context

Reports indicate that Herzog had previously considered the possibility of a pardon even before he was elected president and prior to Netanyahu’s indictment. In an April interview with Haaretz, Herzog suggested that mediation or legal solutions should be explored to prevent the trial from exacerbating national divisions. He emphasized that the case “could last a quarter of the life of the country” and has significant consequences for public trust and stability.

The president’s office estimates that the review process for Netanyahu’s pardon request could take several weeks.