Responding to opposition, Netanyahu defends pardon request, says working on Oct. 7 inquiry

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses his request for a pardon in his corruption trial from President Isaac Herzog and efforts to establish a commission of inquiry on the October 7 massacre during his remarks in this evening’s 40-signature Knesset debate.

Referencing his pardon request, Netanyahu reiterates his claim that the good of the country requires his trial be halted, saying: “There is a real dilemma here between the desire to continue exposing the injustice, the persecution, and the national needs — only some of which you know — security challenges as well as major opportunities I am working on.”

He adds, however, that “If it comes, it comes, and if it doesn’t come, it doesn’t come.”

On establishing a commission of inquiry into the events of the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, massacre that sparked the war in Gaza, Netanyahu says: “We are advancing a national commission of inquiry into the events of October 7 and what led up to them.”

“The establishment of the commission and its makeup will be done equally between the coalition and the opposition. Who could oppose this? Only someone who does not want to reveal the truth,” he says, adding that it will be “an independent commission of inquiry that will enjoy broad public trust,” and that “it will be a challenging one. Everyone will be challenged.”

Netanyahu also addresses efforts to return the final remaining hostage in Gaza, Ran Gvili, saying, “We will not let go of this sacred mission to bring Rani home.” He adds that “We are on the verge of completing the first stage” of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza, adding that “now we are focusing on the next mission – dismantling Hamas of its weapons and demilitarizing the Gaza Strip.”

Shortly before the debate, Netanyahu’s office announced that the premier would meet with Trump in the US on December 29.