Netanyahu corruption trials: Prime minister's request for pardon sparks debate in Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s submission of a pardon request to President Isaac Herzog over his ongoing corruption charges has sparked a fiery debate among politicians, journalists and social media users in Israel. 

The premier, who is facing charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust, submitted a 111-page legal document alongside a personal letter to the president on Sunday. 

Netanyahu said his pardon would be in the "public interest", as it would “bring about reconciliation" in Israel. 

Yet the move appeared to further underscore divisions in Israeli society, as crowds of angry demonstrators, including politicians, gathered outside the president’s residence on Sunday in protest.

Herzog acknowledged on Monday that the application “stirred controversy”, adding that he "will consider solely the best interests of the State of Israel and Israeli society."

"Violent discourse does not affect me," he said, referring to the protests and debates triggered by Netanyahu’s request.

‘Borders on extortion by threats’

Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. His pardon request, notably, did not include an admission of guilt - which many people criticised. 

Yossi Verter, a senior commentator for Haaretz, said Netanyahu’s pardon letter "borders on extortion by threats”. 

"If he had admitted something, expressed remorse and committed to retiring from political life and not running again, there would have been something to talk about," but Netanyahu refuses this, Verter added.

Translation of post by the head of the left-wing Democrats Party: You want a pardon? Admit guilt, express remorse, and resign, only that way will unity among the people be achieved.

Others agreed. 

"You (Herzog) cannot grant Netanyahu a pardon without admission of guilt, expression of remorse, and immediate retirement from political life,” said opposition leader Yair Lapid on X. 

Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, one of the leading candidates for prime minister in the upcoming elections, said he would support "a binding arrangement that would include an honourable retirement from political life alongside the end of the trial”, arguing that it would help end the years-long trial and help unite the country.

Anger and support on the Right

Several right-wing figures opposed Netanyahu’s letter. They claimed that by submitting the request for pardon, the premier would be preventing them from exposing the what they view as wrongdoings of the judicial system - which some believe to be a part of a conspiracy to overthrow the far-right governing coalition. 

"I am in pain and humiliated in light of the submission of the pardon," MP Tally Gotliv of Netanyahu’s Likud party posted on X.

"You [Netanyahu] have proven your persecution and the persecution of the right in a powerful manner," added Gotliv, who frequently attacks Israel’s judicial system.

'There was a time when the right still had goals beyond getting Netanyahu acquitted'

- Arnon Segal, far-right activist

Far-right activist Arnon Segal, brother of Channel 12’s leading journalist Amit Segal, also expressed disappointment.

"There was a time when the right still had goals beyond getting Netanyahu acquitted," wrote Segal, who is also central figure in promoting Jewish prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

He added that he fears the prime minister "will be content with ending the trial against him and will not raise a finger against" the judicial system.

At the same time, some ministers urged Herzog to accept the pardon request. 

Energy Minister Eli Cohen of Likud said Netanyahu “is not a corrupt person” and that a pardon would be for the benefit of Israel to “end this saga”.

Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman, also of the Likud, suggested that US President Donald Trump would “be forced to intervene” by “imposting various sanctions” on judicial officials if Herzog did not pardon the prime minister.  

Trump approached Herzog twice with a request to pardon Netanyahu, once during his visit to Israel in October and once more in an official letter sent to the president last month.

‘This is cowardice’

Others on social media were clearer in their objections, saying it was an attempt by Netanyahu to halt legal proceedings, evade responsibility for the 7 October attacks, and maintain his hold on power.

"Everything for escaping responsibility and punishment. Everything for blaming others. Everything for staying in power," wrote Enave Zangauker, mother of Israeli captive Matan Zangauker, who was released in the latest prisoner-exchange deal between Israel and Hamas.

Netanyahu's court appearances have been repeatedly postponed for a variety of reasons, including Israel's attacks on Gaza, Syria and Iran.

"This is not leadership, this is cowardice," added Zangauker, who has clashed repeatedly with Netanyahu over the past two years.

Translation of post by the former science and technology minister: Right now, you're also begging to escape the fear of justice. Spare us your hypocritical whining. For many years, you've been dividing, slandering, and inciting against so many of us. No one is buying your latest lie, "pardon in the name of national unity". Right now, you're afraid of the trial's consequences - that's clear to anyone with sense. Go face the charges and don't hide behind your pathetic excuses…

Left-wing figures criticised the very discussion of a pardon for a central figure in Israel's genocidal war on Gaza.

"You who went out to fulfill his will and even created justifications for it. Even after you demonstrated against him," wrote activist Adi Argov about anti-Netanyahu protesters who supported Israel's assault.

"You granted him a pardon," she added.

Leader of the left-wing Hadash party, Ayman Odeh, posted on X that Netanyahu’s letter served as a distraction from the government’s violence towards Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, as well as political and economic issues in Israeli society. 

"Everyone should understand that this move by Netanyahu is meant for one purpose, that you talk about it and not about life itself," he said. 

"And not about the simple fact that Netanyahu is a war criminal and should stand trial in The Hague.”