Officially: Netanyahu Submits Pardon Request to Israeli President

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu officially submitted a request for a pardon to Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday. This request follows direct American calls to consider such a move.

1. The American Context and Call for Pardon

• Trump's Letter: US President Donald Trump sent a letter to President Herzog in early November, explicitly calling for consideration of granting a pardon to Netanyahu.

• Trump's Justification: Trump’s letter stated that:

  • Pardoning Netanyahu would be "an important step to unite Israel after difficult years."

  • The case against Netanyahu is "political and unwarranted."

  • Following the "control over Hamas and unprecedented achievements, it is time to end this legal war and give Netanyahu a chance for a pardon."

• Knesset Speech: Trump had also called for Netanyahu's pardon in his speech to the Knesset last month, which coincided with the day twenty hostages were released alive.

2. Official Israeli Procedure

• Herzog's Response: In response to Trump's letter, the Israeli President had affirmed that "anyone who wishes to receive a pardon must submit a formal request, as is customary in Israel."

• Formal Step: By officially submitting his request on Sunday, Netanyahu has followed the required legal procedure in Israel for presidential pardon considerations.