Netanyahu submits request for a pardon during his ongoing corruption trial

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Sun Nov 30, 2025, 07:35 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: AP

Updated 7:25 AM EST, November 30, 2025


TEL AVIV (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday asked the country’s president to grant him a pardon from corruption charges — seeking to end a long-running trial that has bitterly divided the nation.

Netanyahu, who has been at war against the country’s legal system over the charges, said the request would help unify the country at a time of momentous changes in the region. But it immediately triggered denunciations from his opponents, who said it would weaken Israel’s democratic institutions and send a dangerous message that he is above the rule of law.

In a statement Sunday the prime minister’s office said that Netanyahu had submitted a request for a pardon to the legal department of the Office of the President. The president’s office called it an “extraordinary request,” carrying with it “significant implications.”

Netanyahu is the only sitting prime minister in Israeli history to stand trial, after being charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases accusing him of exchanging favors with wealthy political supporters. He has not yet been convicted of anything.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/mideast-wars-netanyahu-pardon-5dbc2461b440c8edc8d82d31650cdbe8

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Just breaking.

Article updated.

Original article -

Updated 6:00 AM EST, November 30, 2025


TEL AVIV (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked Israel’s president to grant him a pardon during his long-running corruption trial that’s bitterly divided the country.

In a statement Sunday the prime minister’s office said that Netanyahu had submitted a request for a pardon to the legal department of the Office of the President. The president’s office called it an “extraordinary request,” carrying with it “significant implications.”

Netanyahu is the only sitting prime minister in Israeli history to stand trial, after being charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases accusing him of exchanging favors with wealthy political supporters. He has not yet been convicted of anything.

The request comes weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump urged Israel to pardon Netanyahu. In a videotaped statement, Netanyahu said the trial has divided the country and that a pardon would help restore national unity. He also said the requirement that he appear in court three times a week is a distraction that makes it difficult for him to lead the country.

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Only the guilty need pardons.

[Snoopy 7]

2. Need unity?

How about prosecuting the people who have taken advantage of other peoples money or their position. Once the "rich" start going to jail/prison then maybe the dual jeopardy judicial system may finely be taken serious. Instead of the rich getting off and not admitting to any fault or retiring with their million/billion balloon package. Netanyahu knows he's going to have a hard time proving his innocence in court otherwise he wouldn't be seeking "a pardon".

[Baitball Blogger]

3. How is pardoning him going to make things better for the nation?

This is such stupid reasoning behind presidential pardons. It doesn't heal the nation. It just convinces the other side that the corruption is real and dangerous.

[iemanja]

5. and that politicians can do whatever they want without consequence

In the US, we are living through that right now.

[LudwigPastorius]

8. Yeah, I was 11 years old when Gerald Ford used that line pardoning Nixon,...

and even I knew it was a load of crap back then.

[Baitball Blogger]

9. Makes you wonder what kind of family they grew up in.

Maybe one where the dad was constantly beating up on the mom, and the kids were required to forgive him for the best of the family.

[iemanja]

4. That he remains prime minister all this time shows unequivocably that Israel treats him as above the law.

Not unlike in our own country.

[Bayard]

6. Small potatoes compared to his war crimes and crimes against humanity

This man is a boil on the world's butt as much as trump.

[LudwigPastorius]

7. The old trial must not be going so good, eh Benny?

You should only rot in jail.

[DavidDvorkin]

10. President Herzog is likely to grant the pardon request

According to an article I read this morning. However, Herzogn would probably only do it Netanyahu agrees to some conditions, among them stopping trying to replace the attorney general, and admitting to guilt in some of the charges. The article said Herzog might also be mulling requiring Netanyahu admit to "moral turpitude", which is significant because if he does so, then he would have to resign as prime minister. Of course, Netanyahu won't want to agree to any of that. So there would be lots of backroom negotiating.

[SomewhereInTheMiddle]

11. I wonder if he might back off from his wars ...

... if he were assured no trial/conviction once he was out of office.

I have often heard it said he continues the war in Gaza (and elsewhere) in part because it keeps him in office and out of jail.

If the threat of jail was removed, might he step away, or be led away, and let someone not as invested in continued fighting take over.

Horrible to let people get away with crimes, but it might be better for the world if he were to just disappear into retirement.

I am conflicted on this.

The same solution might be applicable here.

[DavidDvorkin]

12. This Forward newspaper columnist has strong words on the subject

It's an interesting article.

It’s hard to imagine a more staggering act of hypocrisy than Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request for a pardon

https://forward.com/opinion/786583/netanyahu-pardon-request-herzog-trump/