NETANYAHU BEGS FOR PARDON: Formal Request Lands on President Herzog’s Desk – Israel Braces for Constitutional Crisis
Published Date: 30th Nov, 2025
Jerusalem – 19:42 IST, November 30, 2025 It’s official.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has just submitted a 111-page formal pardon request to President Isaac Herzog, asking to be completely absolved of all charges in his ongoing corruption trial — before a verdict is even reached.
Key Quotes from the Letter (Just Released)
Netanyahu to Herzog: “The criminal proceedings have become a focal point of fierce public controversy that is tearing Israeli society apart at a time when we need unity more than ever.”
His lawyers: “Continuing the trial constitutes an immediate and tangible harm to vital national interests.”
What Netanyahu Wants
- Immediate halt to all three corruption cases (1000, 2000, 4000)
- Full presidential pardon without admitting guilt
- No jail time, no fine, no criminal record
Trump’s Role – The Letter Literally Quotes Him
The document directly cites Donald Trump’s November 12 letter: “President Trump called for an immediate pardon so that Prime Minister Netanyahu can devote his full attention to leading Israel and advancing shared U.S.-Israeli interests.”
Live Reaction – Last 30 Minutes
- Opposition leader Yair Lapid: “This is the death of the rule of law in Israel.”
- National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir: “Granting the pardon is a national security necessity.”
- Supreme Court watchdog group: Already preparing emergency petition
Legal Reality Check
- Presidential pardons before conviction are extremely rare
- Last time used: 1990, for Shin Bet agents who fabricated evidence
- Herzog has no legal deadline to decide
- Any decision can be appealed straight to the Supreme Court
Street Scenes Right Now
- Jerusalem: Hundreds of pro-Netanyahu protesters outside President’s Residence chanting “Pardon Bibi!”
- Tel Aviv: Simultaneous anti-pardon rally already forming on Rothschild Boulevard
What Happens Next – Timeline
- Justice Ministry legal opinion: expected within 2–3 weeks
- President’s decision: could take months
- If granted → trial stops instantly
- If rejected → Netanyahu continues facing up to 10 years in prison if convicted
Bottom Line
For the first time in Israeli history, a sitting prime minister is openly asking the president to make his criminal trial disappear — while still proclaiming his innocence.
The pardon request is now on Isaac Herzog’s desk. Israel’s democracy is now on trial. And the entire country is holding its breath.
Date: 30th Nov, 2025
