Israeli Occupation State President Prepares for "Pardon for Netanyahu"

SadaNews - Israeli occupation state president Isaac Herzog has called the lawyer of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the public prosecution to a meeting at his residence, his office announced on Tuesday.

The invitation comes at a time when Herzog is considering a request for pardon for Netanyahu, in light of the ongoing corruption trials against him.

Netanyahu faces allegations in two cases of attempting to obtain positive media coverage from Israeli media, in addition to a third case in which he is accused of receiving over $260,000 in the form of luxury gifts from billionaires in exchange for political favors, while a fourth corruption charge against him has been dropped.

Michal Tzuk Shafir, the legal advisor to the Israeli president, stated in a message that Herzog "believes that before exercising his powers regarding the request concerning the Prime Minister, every effort should be made to hold talks between the parties to reach an understanding.”

The message was directed to Amit Hadad, Netanyahu's lawyer, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, and State Attorney Amit Aisman.

Netanyahu, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to appear in court on corruption charges, and has long described the judicial proceedings that began in 2019 as a "political trial."

Herzog’s office clarified that these talks are "merely a preliminary step before the president considers exercising his pardon power."

Last October, U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the issue directly in a speech before the Knesset, urging Herzog to grant him the pardon.

He later sent an official message requesting a pardon for Netanyahu, followed by an official request from the latter's lawyer.

Netanyahu's trial resumed two weeks ago, following the lifting of emergency restrictions imposed during the war with Iran.