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Rabat – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that he has officially asked for a presidential pardon, saying his long-running corruption trials are harming the country.
The announcement comes nearly six years after the start of the cases, which are expected to continue for many more years. Netanyahu has always denied any wrongdoing.
In a video statement, Netanyahu said he wanted to keep fighting the charges until he was cleared. However, he argued that Israel’s “security and political reality” required a different approach.
“The continuation of the trial is tearing us apart from within, arousing fierce divisions,” he said, adding that testifying three times a week was “an impossible requirement” that “tipped the scales.”
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump sent a letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, asking him to grant Netanyahu a pardon. Herzog’s office confirmed receiving Netanyahu’s request, calling it “extraordinary” and saying it would be carefully reviewed.
The corruption cases have deeply divided Israeli society, with Netanyahu’s supporters claiming the charges are politically motivated, while his critics insist they reflect serious abuses of power.
Netanyahu and his wife Sara are accused of receiving more than $260,000 in luxury gifts, including cigars, champagne, and jewelry, from wealthy businessmen in exchange for political favors. He is also accused of trying to secure favorable media coverage from two Israeli outlets.
Netanyahu is Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, having spent more than 18 years in office over several terms since 1996. During his current term, he attempted major judicial reforms that critics said threatened the independence of the courts. Those reforms sparked huge protests, which only subsided after the genocide in Gaza began in October 2023.
Despite the ongoing legal battles, Netanyahu has said he plans to run in the next election, which must be held before the end of 2026.
