Netanyahu Pardon: Israel's President Responds to Tru...

By Shane Croucher

Breaking News Editor

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Israel's President Isaac Herzog said he will "consider only the good of the state and Israeli society" when weighing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request for a pardon in his corruption trial.

Herzog has come under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to grant Netanyahu a pardon. Trump has compared his ally Netanyahu's legal troubles there to his own at home, which he has characterized as a political witch hunt.

Trump first made a surprise request for a Netanyahu pardon in his speech to the Knesset, and then followed up with a letter to Herzog to press the case again.

His intervention in the live judicial process of an allied democracy is unusual, though Trump said in his letter that he respected the independence of the Israeli justice system while also calling the Netanyahu trial a "political, unjustified prosecution."

In a statement on Monday reported by Israeli media, and originally in Hebrew, Herzog said that on the issue of pardoning Netanyahu, "it is clear to me that it shakes many people in the country, across various communities, and it sparks debate."

"But I have already clarified and said that it will be handled in the most proper and precise manner. I will consider only the good of the state and Israeli society, with only the State of Israel and its wellbeing before my eyes," Herzog said.

"One thing is clear to me—violent discourse does not influence me. On the contrary, respectful discourse certainly encourages discussion and dialogue."

The Israeli president invited citizens to share their opinions with him via his official website.

Netanyahu had on Sunday asked Herzog to grant him a pardon from the corruption charges, seeking to end a long-running trial that has bitterly divided the nation. The prime minister has been at war against Israel’s legal system over the charges. He said the request would help unify the country at a time of momentous change in the region.

But the request immediately triggered denunciations from opponents, who said a pardon would weaken democratic institutions and send a dangerous message that he’s above the rule of law.

Netanyahu had submitted a request for a pardon to the legal department of the Office of the President, the prime minister’s office said in a statement.

The president’s office called it an “extraordinary request,” carrying with it “significant implications.”

Netanyahu is the only sitting prime minister in Israeli history to stand trial, after being charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases accusing him of exchanging favors with wealthy political supporters.

He hasn’t been convicted of anything. Netanyahu rejects the allegations and has described the case as a witch hunt orchestrated by the media, police and judiciary.

This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.

This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.