Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accused in a long-running corruption scandal, has submitted a formal request for pardon to President Isaac Herzog.
“The Office of the President recognizes that this is an unusual request with significant implications. After receiving all relevant comments, the President will consider the request responsibly and in good faith,” Herzog’s office said in a statement on Sunday, according to Al Jazeera.
Prime Minister Netanyahu is facing three separate corruption cases filed in 2019, including charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He denies the charges and maintains his innocence.
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s request came after US President Donald Trump pressed Mr Herzog to pardon Netanyahu in the controversial case. Herzog also received a letter from Trump in early November urging him to consider a pardon.
President Trump asked Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a speech to the Israeli parliament in October.
Prime Minister Netanyahu is also wanted by the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC). In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.