Khaberni - Maariv's Israeli correspondent Anna Reva Barsky reported that the office of Israeli President Isaac Herzog has requested further clarifications and the completion of additional documents in the context of reviewing the pardon request submitted by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, including a review of precedents related to granting pardons during criminal proceedings.
The newspaper mentioned that the pardon request was referred to the Pardon Department in the Israeli Justice Ministry, and that there are general correspondences and additional opinions concerning it under study, indicating that the presidential palace clarified that the request for information does not reflect an adoption of any specific stance, and that the process is still ongoing with no decision yet made.
Trump attacks Herzog
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has on several occasions demanded a pardon for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who faces corruption charges, attacking President Herzog by saying that he should "be ashamed of himself" for not granting the pardon.
During an event at the White House, Trump praised Netanyahu - wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of genocide in Gaza - for "great disaster" he caused during wartime.
He added that the Israeli people should make Herzog ashamed for not issuing the pardon for Netanyahu, noting that it is "shameful that a pardon has not been issued, he should have issued it."
Commenting on Trump's statements, the office of the Israeli President issued a statement saying that the pardon for Netanyahu is under review, and Herzog will consider the request without any influence from external or internal pressures.
It added that Netanyahu's request is still under examination in the Israeli Ministry of Justice to obtain a legal opinion, and once this process is completed, the President will consider the request.
Herzog's office explained that "Israel is a sovereign state governed by law, and contrary to the impression created by President Trump's comments, President Herzog has not yet made any decision on this matter."
The New York Times reported that Netanyahu is stirring controversy again with his pardon request from President Isaac Herzog, considering the move an attempt to divert attention from the corruption charges filed against him, according to political science professor Reuven Hazan.
The newspaper considered that Netanyahu is adept at moving the political agenda, while opponents saw his promises to unite the country as implying a veiled threat, warning that the pardon might give him room to retaliate against those who led his trial.
