Khaberni - Israeli opposition forces demanded today, Sunday, President Isaac Herzog to reject any pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unless he admits his guilt and completely withdraws from political life, hours after Netanyahu filed a formal request for a pardon that would end his ongoing trial in several corruption cases.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid appeared in a recorded speech on the "X" platform, saying, "Netanyahu cannot be granted a pardon without admitting his guilt, showing remorse, and immediately withdrawing from political life."
Yair Golan, leader of the "Democrats" party, considered that "only the guilty request a pardon," adding that the only acceptable deal is Netanyahu’s admission of guilt, accountability, and departure from politics.
For its part, the "For Quality Governance" movement considered that pardoning someone accused of three serious cases including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust "would fatally harm the principle of equality before the law," emphasizing that a pardon during an ongoing trial "sends a message that there are citizens above the law."
The "Brothers in Arms" protest movement also rejected granting the pardon, describing the move as an "escape attempt" from the trial after years of "dividing the society and inciting against the judiciary."
For his part, former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said he would support a binding agreement that ends Netanyahu's trial in exchange for his political retirement.
Government support
On the other hand, ministers from the government coalition rushed to support Netanyahu, with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar calling for an end to Netanyahu's trial, saying it reflects Israel's interest and will contribute to its unity.
For his part, Minister of Sports and Culture Miki Zohar said, "The time has come to save Israel from the trial epic."
For his part, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir affirmed his support for Netanyahu, stating that he deserves full acquittal, while Energy Minister Eli Cohen believes that "the state's interest" requires ending the trial.
Netanyahu's justification
Netanyahu (76 years old), had submitted a pardon request on Sunday morning through his lawyer to the president's office, in what was described as an "exceptional and significant" move according to a statement from Herzog's office.
The request includes two documents: a detailed letter from Netanyahu’s lawyer, and another signed by him personally, confirming - without an explicit admission of guilt - that the national interest requires ending the trial, which he says "tears apart the Israeli society" and prevents him from managing state affairs amid security and political threats.
Netanyahu said in a recorded speech that more than a decade of investigations and six years of trial "have exacerbated internal divisions," noting that his commitment to appearing in court three times a week is an "impossible requirement" that disrupts his leadership of the country.
He also emphasized that his motives also include "repeated calls" from American President Donald Trump, who sent a letter to Herzog weeks ago demanding that Netanyahu be granted pardon "immediately."
The Israeli Channel 15 reported sources close to Netanyahu as saying that the Prime Minister will not step down from political life and will not admit guilt.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Channel 12 reported from the president's office Isaac Herzog saying that "the president did not set conditions for pardoning Netanyahu because the case was referred for judicial advice."
According to Herzog's office, the request will be transferred to the Pardon Department in the Ministry of Justice to gather opinions of the relevant authorities, then to the president's legal advisor to draft the final recommendations, before Herzog makes his decision.
Granting a pardon before the end of judicial proceedings is extremely rare in Israel and is usually done only after a clear admission of guilt.
Netanyahu faces charges in three cases known to the media as "Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000," which include receiving valuable gifts from businessmen in exchange for favors, coordinating positive media coverage with "Yedioth Ahronoth," and granting privileges to the Bezeq company in exchange for media support through the "Walla" site.
He is also facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (November 2024) for charges of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, where the war left more than 70,000 martyrs and 170,000 injured over two years, most of them children and women.
