Israeli President Isaac Herzog refused to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on corruption charges. Instead, he is considering acting as a mediator between the politician and the investigation to reach an agreement, reports Todayinfo news agency.
According to Herzog's entourage, the president is interested in finding a solution that satisfies all parties and acts within the law, guided by the interests of the state. Although the presidency in Israel is largely ceremonial, the power of pardon remains one of its key prerogatives.
Netanyahu officially filed a pardon request in November 2025. He said such a step would help reduce public tension. He also noted that continuous court hearings hinder his ability to fully perform his duties as head of government, but he does not admit guilt.
The charges against Netanyahu were filed in 2019 and include corruption, fraud, and breach of trust. The investigation alleges he received expensive gifts from wealthy acquaintances and provided favors to media businesses for favorable coverage.
Earlier, former US President Donald Trump also urged Herzog to pardon Netanyahu. He linked this to Israel's achievements under the current prime minister and called the investigation politically motivated. Herzog's office responded that the pardon initiative must come from the petitioner himself.
After winning the 2022 election, Netanyahu formed a coalition with far-right parties and launched a judicial reform. The reform aimed to limit the Supreme Court's influence on government decisions, but later some proposals were withdrawn. However, changes to the procedure for appointing judges strengthened the government's position.
