Just a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's pardon request was publicized, President Isaac Herzog said on Monday that his sole consideration would be what is in "the best interests of the State of Israel and Israeli society" as to whether he will grant the PM this key lifeline in his criminal trial.
“It is clear to me that the issue of the pardon is shaking many people in the country; it will be handled in the best possible way. I will consider only the good of the state,” Herzog stated.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu submitted a formal request for a presidential pardon to President Isaac Herzog, a move the President’s Office described as an extraordinary step with significant implications.
Netanyahu’s attorney, Amit Hadad, delivered the request to the Legal Department of the President’s Office. Under standard procedure, it has now been transferred to the Justice Ministry’s Pardons Department, which will gather professional opinions from all relevant authorities.
Those assessments will then be forwarded to the President’s Legal Advisor and her team, who will prepare an additional recommendation for Herzog before he makes a final decision.
Carries significant implications
In its statement, the President’s Office emphasized the unusual nature of the submission, saying it “carries significant implications.” Officials stressed that Herzog will consider the request “responsibly and sincerely” once all legal materials are before him.
Sarah Ben-Nun and Amichai Stein contributed to this article.