Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been facing several corruption cases over the years, has submitted a formal pardon request to President Isaac Herzog, the head of state’s office has confirmed.
Netanyahu’s request consists of two documents, a detailed letter signed by his lawyer and a letter signed by the prime minister. The documents will be sent to the Ministry of Justice for opinions and will then be transferred to the legal adviser in the president’s office, who will formulate additional opinions for the president, Al Jazeera reported.
“The Office of the President is aware that this is an extraordinary request which carries with it significant implications. After receiving all of the relevant opinions, the president will responsibly and sincerely consider the request,” Herzog’s office said in a statement.
What are the cases Netanyahu is facing?
Netanyahu faces three main corruption cases (known as Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000), indicted in November 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
In the first case, Netanyahu and his wife Sara was alleged to receive over $195,000 in cigars, champagne, and $3,100 in jewelry from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and James Packer over nearly a decade.
In the second case, (Case 2000), prosecutors claimed Netanyahu negotiated with Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes for favourable coverage onhim in exchange for backing legislation to weaken a rival, according to Euro News.
In the third case, (Case 4000),Netanyahu allegedly granted telecommunications firm Bezeq (controlled by Shaul Elovitch) regulatory benefits worth €475,000 for positive coverage on Elovitch’s Walla news site for Netanyahu and his wife, when he was Communications Minister.
Trump had also sought pardon for Netanyahu
United States President Donald Trump had also pushed Herzog to pardon Netanyahu in the cases in question. Herzog also received a letter from Trump earlier in November, urging him to consider the pardon, according to Al Jazeera.
