Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Israeli media reported Thursday that President Isaac Herzog is prepared to move forward with a potential pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, signaling a possible turning point in one of Israel’s most politically charged legal sagas. According to Channel 14, Herzog’s stance appears to be independent of any external political pressure.
The development follows reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump sent an official letter to Herzog on Wednesday urging him to pardon Netanyahu. In the letter, Trump described such a move as “an important step toward uniting Israel after difficult years,” praising Netanyahu as a leader who “has steadfastly defended Israel against powerful adversaries” and claiming that the charges against him were “political and unfounded.”
Channel 14 drew a historical parallel between Herzog’s reported position and a precedent set by his late father, Chaim Herzog, who in the 1980s issued a special pardon to members of Israel’s internal security agency, Shin Bet, before they were formally indicted in the so-called “Bus 300 Affair.”
Netanyahu’s legal troubles have spanned several years and center on three major corruption cases—known in Israel as Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000. These cases involve allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, all of which the prime minister firmly denies, describing the proceedings as politically motivated attempts to remove him from power.
Under Israeli law, a presidential pardon can only be granted after a court has issued a conviction. The convicted individual must then submit a formal request acknowledging the crime and expressing remorse. The process typically begins with a recommendation from the Ministry of Justice before being referred to the president for consideration.
However, some legal analysts suggest that the process could be expedited through a plea bargain between Netanyahu’s legal team and the state prosecution. Such an arrangement, known in Hebrew as a hesder has been discussed multiple times since Netanyahu’s trial began five years ago. Previous negotiations collapsed due to disagreements: prosecutors insisted that Netanyahu admit to at least some of the corruption charges in exchange for avoiding prison time, while also demanding that he resign and retire from politics. Netanyahu, in contrast, has consistently refused any deal that would require an admission of guilt or an end to his political career.
If Netanyahu were to accept a plea deal, the case could be resolved through a recommendation for a presidential pardon—an outcome that would effectively close the legal proceedings. The prosecution has resisted any arrangement that does not include a confession, arguing that such leniency would validate Netanyahu’s long-standing claim that the charges are politically motivated.
For Netanyahu, the issue is not merely legal but existential. Accepting guilt would mark him as Israel’s first sitting prime minister to be convicted of corruption, while refusing to step aside prolongs both his tenure and the country’s political polarization.
President Herzog has not issued an official statement on the matter. However, reports of his willingness to consider a pardon have reignited debate in Israel over judicial independence, political accountability, and the balance between reconciliation and the rule of law.
