Corruption charges against Netanyahu

Netanyahu asks the president for clemency in corruption charges

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is asking for clemency in corruption charges. His lawyer has written a letter to President Isaac Herzog with a formal request, Israeli media reports.

In the letter, lawyer Amit Hadad writes that a pardon would give “the prime minister the opportunity to devote all his time and energy to leading Israel through a challenging time”.

Netanyahu is charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He and his wife Sara are suspected of accepting expensive gifts, such as cigars and jewelry.

The argument: Wants to reduce division in the country

In his request for clemency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasizes the need to reduce division in the country and “lower the temperature” in the debate surrounding his trial.

In the letter sent to the president, Netanyahu claims, through his lawyer, that his personal wish would be to let the trial continue, but that it is not in the national interest.

Recently, President Isaac Herzog has been pressured from several quarters to pardon Netanyahu, including from US President Donald Trump.