Netanyahu seeks pardon from president amid corruption trial, sparking legal and political debate.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a presidential pardon from President Isaac Herzog amid his ongoing corruption trial, citing the strain of frequent court appearances and the need to unify the country during regional turmoil. The request, made on November 30, 2025, is unprecedented as it seeks clemency before any conviction and has sparked intense debate over the rule of law, judicial independence, and political accountability. Netanyahu, who denies charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three cases, claims the trial is politically motivated and hampers his ability to govern. The move has drawn criticism from opposition leaders and civil society groups, while his allies and Donald Trump have urged Herzog to consider the pardon. The president’s office has called the request “extraordinary,” and it is under review by legal advisers, with no guarantee of approval. The situation remains unresolved, deepening political divisions in Israel.