Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally submitted a request for a presidential pardon to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, the President’s Residence confirmed. The submission includes a letter signed by Netanyahu and a detailed 111-page request prepared by his attorney, Amit Hadad.

Hadad’s letter states that granting the request would allow the prime minister to dedicate himself fully to leading "Israel" during what he described as a critical period.

“Granting this request will allow the prime minister to devote all of his time, abilities, and energy to advancing ‘Israel’ in these critical times,” wrote Hadad. He also argued the pardon could help “mend rifts between different sectors of the public” and reduce tensions, thereby strengthening “national resilience.”

According to Herzog’s office, the request was submitted to the Legal Department of the President’s Residence. The Justice Ministry’s Pardons Department will now gather input from relevant authorities and send their recommendations to the president’s legal adviser.

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

Under Israeli law, the president has the authority to grant pardons to convicted individuals, and in rare cases, even before legal proceedings have concluded, if it is deemed to be in the public interest.

Pardon would not require admission of guilt: Netanyahu

Earlier this month, Netanyahu stated he would not seek a pardon if it required an admission of guilt in the ongoing corruption trial. He faces one count of bribery and three counts each of fraud and breach of trust across three separate cases. The trial, which began in 2020, remains ongoing and has yet to conclude.

US President Donald Trump has reportedly written to Herzog, urging him to grant the pardon. The intervention adds a layer of international political pressure to an already controversial legal process.

The decision now rests with Herzog, who must weigh legal, political, and public implications before ruling on one of the most high-profile pardon requests in Israeli history.

In a related development, "Israel" officially submitted a request to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to revoke the arrest warrants issued for Netanyahu and former Security Minister Yoav Gallant on November 18, while also calling for the disqualification of Prosecutor Karim Khan from handling cases related to "Israel", the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced.

Also, in September, Herzog suggested he could grant Netanyahu a pardon in his ongoing corruption trial, saying the proceedings have placed a heavy strain on the country. “The Netanyahu case weighs heavily on Israeli society. If there is a request or any process, I will divulge this to the public with full transparency,” Herzog told Army Radio. “I will consider what’s best for the state and all other considerations.”

Netanyahu's corruption trial 

Netanyahu is facing charges in three separate corruption cases, collectively known as Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000. These include allegations of receiving luxury gifts from billionaires, attempting to secure favorable media coverage in exchange for political favors, and manipulating regulatory decisions to benefit business allies.

The charges, bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, have been denied outright by Netanyahu, who claims they are part of a politically motivated campaign against him.

The trial, which formally began in 2020, has been repeatedly delayed, with Netanyahu frequently requesting postponements due to state obligations. Critics argue he is deliberately continuing the aggressive campaign on Gaza and the wider region to shield himself from legal consequences.

Since October 2023, "Israel" has launched military assaults in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and even Iran, developments that have allowed Netanyahu to claim that court appearances are incompatible with wartime leadership.