Herzog: No pardon decision on Netanyahu before plea deal efforts

ALBAWABA - In the corruption case involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated on Sunday that a plea deal would be the best course of action, implying that a pardon decision is unlikely in the near future.

Herzog said in a statement that he would only consider Netanyahu's appeal for presidential pardon once every avenue for an out-of-court resolution had been thoroughly investigated. He underlined that talks between the parties should take precedence over quick action.

The comments were made in response to rumors that Herzog may help arrange a plea agreement, which might postpone the pardon request's review. Officials refused to give more information, and Netanyahu's administration has not yet made a public statement.

Legal background

In November, Netanyahu filed a pardon request. There is no precedence for the Israeli president to award pardon while legal processes are still pending, despite the fact that he has the ability to do so.

For years, the case—which includes accusations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, all of which Netanyahu denies—has been a major source of division and recurring elections in Israeli politics.

Future proceedings

The trial, which started in 2020, is scheduled to resume this week, with Netanyahu anticipated to make another court appearance. The developments have brought the case's legal and political ramifications back into the spotlight ahead of the elections that are expected to take place later this year.