Netanyahu submits request to Israeli president to pardon him

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing a long-running corruption trial, has submitted an official request to the country's president to pardon him.

In a video statement, Mr Netanyahu, who is the only sitting PM in Israeli history to stand trial, said the case had divided the country and a pardon would help restore national unity.

He also said the requirement to appear in court three times a week is a distraction that makes it difficult for him to lead.

President Isaac Herzog's office said it was "an extraordinary request" which carries "significant implications".

The president will "responsibly and sincerely consider the request" after consulting with "relevant authorities" in the justice ministry and legal departments, his office said.

It comes after Donald Trump sent a letter to Mr Herzog urging him to "fully pardon" Mr Netanyahu earlier this month.

The US president told Mr Herzog his prime minister had "stood tall for Israel in the face of strong adversaries" and Mr Netanyahu's "attention cannot be unnecessarily diverted".

Mr Netanyahu's trial, which began in 2020, has not yet concluded. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include bribery and fraud.

He was indicted in 2019 in three cases, including allegations of receiving nearly 700,000 shekels (£166,500) in gifts from business representatives.

The prime minister's request consists of two documents over 111 pages, the president's office said - a letter signed by Mr Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Hadad, as well as a letter signed by Mr Netanyahu himself.

They say a pardon can be issued even before conviction and argue the ongoing trial is preventing Mr Netanyahu from fully performing his duties as prime minister, particularly on critical security and diplomatic issues.

The documents claim the investigation and prosecution of Mr Netanyahu suffered from irregularities, including pressure on witnesses and an effort to target the prime minister.

His long record of service and leadership is also highlighted.

PM says trial 'deepens rifts'

In his video statement, Mr Netanyahu said: "The continuation of the trial tears us apart from within, stirs up this division and deepens rifts.

"I am sure, like many others in the nation, that an immediate conclusion of the trial would greatly help to lower the flames and promote the broad reconciliation that our country so desperately needs."

Emi Palmor, former director general of Israel's justice ministry, said it was not possible for the trial to be stopped by the pardon request.

"You cannot claim that you're innocent while the trial is going on and come to the president and ask him to intervene," she said.

The only way to stop the trial is to ask the attorney general to withhold the proceedings, she added.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid urged the president not to give in to the request.

"You cannot grant him a pardon without an admission of guilt, an expression of remorse and an immediate retirement from political life," he said.

(c) Sky News 2025: Netanyahu submits request to Israeli president to pardon him