Source claims Netanyahu knew about secret meeting between confidant Bardugo and Herzog

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was aware of the secret meeting between his confidant, journalist Jacob Bardugo, and President Isaac Herzog in late March to discuss the premier’s request for a pardon, a source close to Bardugo tells Channel 12.

The nighttime meeting at an apartment in Shoham, which was not revealed to the public, took place shortly before Herzog urged dialogue between the sides on a plea bargain. It also came about after bitter criticism of Herzog by Bardugo on the pro-Netanyahu Channel 14 for not pardoning the prime minister, who has refused to admit wrongdoing despite High Court precedent indicating he must do so for a pardon.

During the meeting, Bardugo reportedly called Herzog a “coward” for not pardoning the premier, while the president complained that he was facing criticism from both sides of the political spectrum over the matter.

Speaking with Channel 14, Bardugo says he told Herzog that he was “speaking on my own behalf” and accuses the president of leaking the content of the meeting.

In a statement to Channel 12, the President’s Office says that “no one from the president’s entourage leaked details from the meeting” and argues that the quotes published were either “clearly incorrect or have been distorted in a biased manner.”

“The purpose of the leak is to sabotage the president’s efforts to bring the parties in Netanyahu’s cases to talks. The purpose of the meeting was only an attempt to lower the flames and the toxic discourse during a sensitive and tense period,” the statement continues, adding that Herzog “meets regularly with many elements from all corners of the public and the media, and there is nothing unusual in the meeting itself.”

“At no point was the president or anyone on his behalf told that Mr. Bardugo was acting on behalf of the prime minister or conveying messages on his behalf.”