Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog concerning ongoing corruption cases. The president's office stated that Herzog would consult justice officials before making a decision, highlighting the request's importance. Netanyahu, on trial for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, insists he is innocent and prefers to end the legal proceedings without an admission of guilt.

 

The trial focusses on three primary allegations: receiving gifts from businessmen, facilitating newspaper circulation for favourable coverage, and promoting regulatory advantages for telecom shareholders. Netanyahu has labelled the accusations a politically motivated "witch hunt." His plea for a pardon arrives amidst pressure from international figures, such as US President Donald Trump, who previously urged Herzog to grant clemency.

 

Netanyahu's video message emphasised national unity, suggesting that ending the trial could lower national tensions. He described his court appearances as excessively demanding, claiming they impede his ability to lead effectively. However, opposition leaders argue that a pardon should only follow an admission of guilt, with accusations of Netanyahu conflating personal interests with state matters.

 

While Netanyahu's supporters, including his Likud party, back the pardon, critics argue it undermines Israel's democratic values. Recent widespread protests against government efforts for judicial reform further complicate the situation, stoking fears of eroding democratic principles. Additionally, Netanyahu faces an International Criminal Court warrant over alleged war crimes, which he has denounced.

 

Moving forward, deliberations on the pardon request remain in progress without a definitive timeline. Public and judicial viewpoints will play a crucial role in determining the outcome, as precedents for presidential pardons before conviction in extreme circumstances exist. The decision will significantly impact Israel's political landscape and its perceived commitment to the rule of law, reported the BBC.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Netanyahu seeks a pardon amidst ongoing corruption trials, maintaining his innocence.
• President Herzog to consult with justice officials before deciding on the pardon.
• Critics argue a pardon without admitting guilt undermines Israel's democracy.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-12-01

 

 

 

Asking to be forgiven for crimes he claims he didn’t commit. 😂😂😂😂

He deserves a medal for the anilation of Hamas the invaders of Israel 

Extraordinary example of naked impunity. He clearly doesn't care what anyone in the public thinks of his request. And the U.S. ridicules Maduro in Venezuela.

 

If Netanyahu - the thug -  gets what he wants, the U.S. can kiss goodbye their claim that they defefnd Israel as it is the only bulwark of freedom and democracy in the Middle East. That's nonsense of course and always has been a flimsy excuse to pour money into lobbyists pockets and U.S. made weapons into the place.

25 minutes ago, jippytum said:

He deserves a medal for the anilation of Hamas the invaders of Israel 

Teddy talk !

37 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

Asking to be forgiven for crimes he claims he didn’t commit. 😂😂😂😂

Exactly. And the reason to be forgiven: I'm too important.

Hope he burn in Hell with everyone else who made crimes against humanity no matter where they come from, belief or convictions that harms innocent people 

 

I believe the corruption case is the least of his worries, unless he never want to leave Israel borders ever again.

Another case of Lefties trying to get their political opponents jailed .

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Another case of Lefties trying to get their political opponents jailed .

 

So being a good human is leftism now 😉 

 

Well I might lean to the left and right but decent human and have humanity in your mind, doesnt make you anything else than an intelligent good human being. 

 

Bad people is bad people no matter what 

 

let me correct that last statement: Evil people are evil no matter what motivation they got. 

13 minutes ago, Hummin said:

 

So being a good human is leftism now 😉 

 

Well I might lean to the left and right but decent human and have humanity in your mind, doesnt make you anything else than an intelligent good human being. 

 

Bad people is bad people no matter what 

 

let me correct that last statement: Evil people are evil no matter what motivation they got. 

 

   Not so quick with the division between good and bad people .

Terrorists and their supporters are the bad people IMO .

Those fighting against the terrorists are the good people IMO .

Bibi is fighting against terrorists 

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Another case of Lefties trying to get their political opponents jailed .

I'm not either leftist, but I don't apologize criminals.

Interesting! This is Netanyahu admitting his guilt.

4 minutes ago, Look Chang said:

I'm not either leftist, but I don't apologize criminals.

 

   Who is the criminal ?

4 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Who is the criminal ?

The one ordering to kill 70,000 people in Gaza  ?

23 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Not so quick with the division between good and bad people .

Terrorists and their supporters are the bad people IMO .

Those fighting against the terrorists are the good people IMO .

Bibi is fighting against terrorists 

 

We have an different view on the methods, and not for one second have the fight on war against terrorism worked so far. It have made the terrorists more aware, smarter and more dedicated, as well it will manage to change the opinion of people and governments of who they are willing to support in the future. 

 

Russia seems to be winning the propaganda war, and have more support world wide now than before the invasion of Ukraine. They F managed to pull the USA right wings over to their side. Think about that. And Israel is also losing the propaganda war big time. 

 

History shows terrorism is working, and the State of Israel, and how Israel finely got the mandate to become a state was rooted on terror and Terrorism, and of course the European guilt post WW2. 

 

Israel was a mistake in time, and now we are all paying the price trying to control the Middle East. All these conflicts is part of molding the future and the shift of power because of the double morality of the west. 

 

We had it all, and now we are fighting for whats rest of it. Your children and grandchildren will face our mistakes in the near future. 

But a pardon by Trump is ONLY effective in the USA, NOT in the rest of the world, nor even in Israel itself.

 

IMHO, Netanyahu is making his own plan, and leaving Israel, his criminal war cabinet and the IDF to their own fate.

3 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Another case of Lefties trying to get their political opponents jailed .

You mean like America's 'righties', offering 50 MILLION DOLLARS for the capture of Maduro in Venezuela? The country with the most oil reserves?

A pardon? So that means you're openly admitting it then? Great! Off to prison you go!

2 hours ago, Look Chang said:

The one ordering to kill 70,000 people in Gaza  ?

 

   Its not a criminal offence for the enemy to be killed in battle .

Its a legitimate act of war 

1 hour ago, billd766 said:

But a pardon by Trump is ONLY effective in the USA, NOT in the rest of the world, nor even in Israel itself.

 

IMHO, Netanyahu is making his own plan, and leaving Israel, his criminal war cabinet and the IDF to their own fate.

Not Trump, President Herzog.

2 hours ago, billd766 said:

But a pardon by Trump is ONLY effective in the USA, NOT in the rest of the world, nor even in Israel itself.

 

IMHO, Netanyahu is making his own plan, and leaving Israel, his criminal war cabinet and the IDF to their own fate.

 

Netanyahu has requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog.

Maybe Netanyahu should demand the Nobel Peace Prize. I'm sure POTUS Trump will support him.

2 hours ago, billd766 said:

But a pardon by Trump is ONLY effective in the USA, NOT in the rest of the world, nor even in Israel itself.

 

IMHO, Netanyahu is making his own plan, and leaving Israel, his criminal war cabinet and the IDF to their own fate.

 

    This is nothing to do with Trump .

Its an internal Israel issue .

Trump isn't involved 

51 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Its not a criminal offence for the enemy to be killed in battle .

Its a legitimate act of war 

They were women and children - not enemies - W O M E N and C H I L D R E N

11 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

They were women and children - not enemies - W O M E N and C H I L D R E N

 

They were H A M A S , 

13 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

They were women and children - not enemies - W O M E N and C H I L D R E N

 

1 minute ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

They were H A M A S , 

 

Of course, you have proof that all those killed were Hamas?

6 hours ago, jippytum said:

He deserves a medal for the anilation of Hamas the invaders of Israel 

He helped fund Hamas.

https://time.com/7010486/fact-checking-what-benjamin-netanyahu-said-in-his-2024-interview-with-time/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

 

Netanyahu’s government was so invested in the policy that when Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas sanctioned Hamas in 2018 and cut off salaries for government workers in Gaza, the Israeli government delivered the money into Gaza through cash-filled suitcases. At the time, Netanyahu’s Education Minister Naftali Bennett opposed the payments, calling it “protection money” that would buy only temporary quiet. Bennett would succeed Netanyahu in 2021, the first Prime Minister in a unity government that lasted nearly 18 months. While Bennett continued to allow Qatari money to fund Hamas, one of his first moves as the Israeli premier was to cancel the cash-filled suitcases sent into Gaza.

5 hours ago, CallumWK said:

I believe the corruption case is the least of his worries, unless he never want to leave Israel borders ever again.

He will have his day in court. 

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Its not a criminal offence for the enemy to be killed in battle .

Its a legitimate act of war 

So...who declared the war? What is the war about? Its goals? Bibi used October 7 to whip up hatred. That hatred should be reserved for Hamas terrorists. Never for aid distribution points, hospitals, schools and private dwellings. That's barbarism not war.