PM submits pardon request to Herzog, says it would allow him to concentrate on affairs of state

By Lazar Berman

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30 November 2025, 12:26 pm

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Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and President Isaac Herzog at an event for outstanding soldiers during Israel's 75th Independence Day celebrations, at the President's Residence in Jerusalem on April 26, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90/ File)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu submits a formal pardon request to President Isaac Herzog, according to the President’s Residence.

The documents included an 111-page request from Netanyahu’s lawyer Amit Hadad, and a letter signed by Netanyahu. Herzog’s office releases the full text of the request.

“Granting this request will allow the prime minister to devote all of his time, abilities, and energy to advancing Israel in these critical times,” writes Hadad, “and to dealing with the challenges and opportunities that lie before it. In addition, granting the request will help mend rifts between different sectors of the public, open the door to lowering the intensity of tensions, all for the purpose of strengthening the country’s national resilience.”

According to Herzog’s office, Hadad submitted the request to the President’s Residence Legal Department.

The Justice Ministry Pardons Department “will gather the opinions of all the relevant authorities in the ministry,” says Herzog’s office, then will send their recommendations to Herzog’s legal adviser.

“The Office of the President is aware that this is an extraordinary request which carries with it significant implications,” says Herzog’s office in a statement. “After receiving all of the relevant opinions, the president will responsibly and sincerely consider the request.”

The president of the state is empowered to grant pardons to those convicted in court and — on very rare occasions, even before legal proceedings have concluded, if it is deemed to be in the public interest.

Earlier this month, Netanyahu insisted he will not request a pardon for his corruption trial if it means admitting guilt in the case.

US President Donald Trump also wrote to Herzog to ask him to pardon Netanyahu.

Netanyahu is charged with one count of bribery, as well as three counts each of fraud and breach of trust, in three separate cases relating to corruption allegations against him. His trial began in 2020 and is still far from reaching an end.