Khaberni - Haaretz newspaper revealed that the Israeli businessman Moti Zinder, formerly close to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, recently sent direct threat messages to the President's residence, stating that he "will release embarrassing information about Herzog's relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu" if the President agrees to grant the Prime Minister a conditional political pardon.
The newspaper said Zinder, who played a pivotal role in mediating to form a unity government between Netanyahu and Herzog at various stages, claims to possess information about a "prior understanding" between the two concerning the pardon issue, which Herzog vehemently denies.
The newspaper pointed out that recent attempts have been made to cool down the crisis through discussions between close associates of both sides.
Israeli businessman Moti Zinder
The report explained that Zinder was previously a strong supporter of granting a pardon to Netanyahu before a charge sheet against him was filed, provided that he withdraws from political life, an idea the report said Herzog was also prepared to discuss in closed talks, and also discussed with former President Reuven Rivlin.
The newspaper added that Maariv journalist Ben Kaspit revealed last weekend that a close associate of Herzog sought a legal opinion from lawyer Eyal Rozovsky about "the possibility of pardoning someone who has not yet been convicted," before Channel 12 News published the full document and revealed that Zinder had requested it. Herzog strongly denied any involvement in the matter.
Haaretz continued that the relationships between Herzog and Zinder have been highly tense over the past two years, particularly after Zinder's stance on the "judicial coup" and his changed political views towards Netanyahu, which also reflected on his relationship with the President.
The President's office responded: "Given the sensitive personal situation of the man mentioned, the President will not comment on these allegations." Zinder said: "I will comment at the appropriate time and place."
This development comes amidst a politically charged atmosphere within Israel, at a time when the issue of potentially granting Netanyahu a pardon as part of a political settlement is being revived, which is causing widespread controversy within the Israeli arena.
