Post by : Meena Ariff

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, has formally applied for a presidential pardon while confronting serious charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. In a statement from his Likud party, he highlighted the expectation of public backing for his request, which he claims serves the national good.

In a brief video release, Netanyahu stated, “My legal team submitted a pardon request to the president today, as I believe it's necessary for the benefit of the country.” He referred to the heavy demands of his ongoing legal trials, which necessitate his testimony several times weekly, labeling them an “impossible burden unique to me.”

Netanyahu’s legal representatives conveyed in a letter to President Isaac Herzog’s office that these lengthy legal battles have exacerbated divisions in society and obstructed his governance. They argued that concluding the trials could foster national unity and stability.

The presidential office has acknowledged the request, which will proceed to the pardons department in the justice ministry for assessment, before a recommendation is presented to Herzog. In Israel, pardons are generally granted following a conviction; however, Netanyahu's advisors assert that the public’s interest and need for national unity warrant consideration at this point.

The initiative has sparked intense reactions from the political sphere. Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the request, asserting that a pardon necessitates an admission of guilt, public remorse, and stepping back from political life. Former military deputy Yair Golan has called for Netanyahu’s resignation and implored the president to decline the pardon request.

Coalition supporters, such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, expressed backing for the pardon, arguing it is crucial to alleviate the strains of the ongoing trials on governance.

Having first assumed office in 1996, Netanyahu has been a divisive figure in Israeli politics, holding multiple terms and regaining leadership after the 2022 elections. His tenure has been overshadowed by corruption claims dating back to 2019, including allegations of granting favors to business elites in exchange for gifts and favorable media coverage, all of which he refutes.

During his current administration, Netanyahu has led substantial military operations, including responses to the 2023 Hamas attacks, ongoing conflict in Gaza, confrontations with Hezbollah, and targeted operations against Iranian military assets. His conduct in these situations has garnered both domestic support and international backlash.

With elections on the horizon in October 2026, polls suggest that Netanyahu's right-wing coalition may struggle to retain its majority. The outcome of this pardon request could also influence the political terrain leading up to the election.

#Politics News #World News #Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu