Isaac Herzog

As a result, Netanyahu is now set to testify only on Tuesday and Wednesday, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. - a shortened schedule confirmed by the court.

The Israeli leader added that he would only act "in the best interest of the Israeli people” and said he would consider that matter carefully.

Merz will also meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu on Sunday morning, before visiting Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial later in the day.

NATIONAL AFFAIRS: A sympathetic White House, a punishing courtroom schedule, and a looming coalition crisis over haredi conscription explain the prime minister’s sudden pardon request.

Isaac Herzog has to contend with a tremendous dilemma regarding the pardon request. Like the trial itself, no result is going to be fully accepted and certainly not unifying.

The poll shows the coalition bloc rising to 53 seats, up four from the previous survey, driven by Religious Zionism’s gains. The opposition bloc gained 57 seats.

Herzog has been invited to speak at Yeshiva University, where he will receive an honorary doctorate. He will also be the guest of honor of the American Zionist Movement.

AS Trump's poodle, a pardoned Netanyahu would be less free to speak up when he feels America’s actions go against Israel’s interests.

The prizes, awarded in memory of Christians who resisted fascism and fought against Nazi oppression during the Second World War, were presented during a ceremony in Israel for the first time.

President Herzog is indeed the last line of defense of an Israeli democracy shaken for the past three years by Netanyahu, who has consistently placed his personal interests above those of his country