Pardon Save Him? Netanyahu’s Desperate Gambit: Can a Pre-Trial

After years entangled in political and corruption scandals, Benjamin Netanyahu has now submitted a more than 100-page request for presidential pardon to the Israeli president. The move triggered a wave of reactions both inside and outside the regime, underscoring how critical President Herzog’s decision will be and how the political system will absorb it.

Under Israel’s constitutional framework, the president has broad authority to grant pardons, even to convicted individuals. But Netanyahu’s request is unprecedented because it was submitted before the legal proceedings concluded and before any verdict had been issued. The only comparable case dates back decades and involved the internal security service. Herzog now faces a difficult decision, sworn as he is to act in the public interest and remain above political maneuvering. The situation intensified when former U.S. president Donald Trump publicly supported granting the pardon, calling Netanyahu’s cases “fake” and “politically motivated.”

The pardon request quickly polarized Israeli society. Far-right groups and Netanyahu loyalists rallied behind him, framing the request as a test of presidential authority and a safeguard against politically driven persecution. Opponents, however, see it as a blatant attempt to undermine the rule of law and escape accountability. This divide has deepened existing societal fractures, heightening tensions and increasing the political cost for the government.

Trump’s intervention has only magnified the split. Some view it as foreign interference undermining institutional independence, while others interpret it as validation of Netanyahu’s narrative. Polls reveal a stark divide: over 45 percent of respondents oppose the pardon, about 35 percent support it, and the rest remain undecided.

The formal pardon process begins with the Ministry of Justice and the attorney general, who review the request and submit their recommendations to the president. Netanyahu insists he is innocent and claims the cases against him are political attacks, further complicating the situation. Opposition groups argue that granting a pardon is only legally and morally defensible if Netanyahu resigns and steps away from power. Otherwise, forgiveness without consequences would erode democratic institutions, embolden future abuses, and set a perilous precedent. Some critics go so far as to say that pardoning Netanyahu would hammer the final nail into the coffin of Israeli democracy, potentially accelerating internal instability and even undermining the foundations of the state.

Netanyahu’s political chessboard has entered a new and fragile phase, bolstered by explicit support from Washington. He argues that pardoning him serves Israel’s “national interest,” enabling him to continue leading the country through mounting crises. By presenting himself as a selfless leader under attack, he hopes to persuade undecided voters and create enough public pressure to influence Herzog’s decision. Trump’s backing also raises the stakes: failure to grant the pardon could strain relations between Washington and Tel Aviv.

Ultimately, any decision will most likely harm Israel’s civil society, while the only real beneficiary appears to be Netanyahu himself. He seems far less concerned with the interests of the state or its citizens than with saving his own political future. If he succeeds in swaying the undecided bloc and pushing his support above 50 percent, he may gain the leverage he needs over the president. The coming weeks will show whether Netanyahu’s gambit leads to a strategic victory or whether he finds himself cornered and checkmated.

Translated by Ashraf Hemmati from the original Persian article written by Amin Mahdavi

Israeli leader Netanyahu requests a pardon to end his ongoing corruption trial | AP News
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Israel's Netanyahu seeks pardon in years-long corruption trial | Reuters