JERUSALEM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday formally asked President Isaac Herzog for a pardon from corruption charges that could result in his imprisonment if he is convicted.

Netanyahu, 76, had refused for years to admit wrongdoing or request a pardon because Israeli law allows the president to grant one only after an admission of guilt. Reports said his request did not include a clear confession.

In a video statement, Netanyahu claimed that he tried to clear his name, but “the security reality, the political situation, and the national interest” forced him to make this decision.

He said Israel faces “enormous challenges” and “enormous opportunities,” adding that the trial “tears us apart” and deepens divisions.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid urged Herzog not to grant a pardon unless Netanyahu admits guilt and withdraws from political life, saying the president cannot approve it otherwise.

“I appeal to President Herzog... You cannot grant Netanyahu a pardon without an admission of guilt, a show of remorse, and an immediate withdrawal from political life,” Lapid said in a video message broadcast via US social media company X.

Netanyahu is Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, holding office from 1996 to 1999, from 2009 to 2021, and again since December 2022.

He faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three cases dating back to his previous terms in office, according to Israeli media. The key cases include:

Case 1000—'The gifts case'

The investigation focuses on whether Netanyahu received valuable gifts from businessmen James Packer, an Australian billionaire, and Arnon Milchan, an Israeli Hollywood producer, in exchange for political favors.

Police investigations, which began in 2016, looked into suspicions that Netanyahu and his family received roughly 700,000 shekels (about $213,500) in benefits between 2011 and 2016, including champagne, boxes of premium cigars, and jewelry, according to the indictment.

Prosecutors say these “were not friendly gifts” but benefits given in exchange for promoting legislation and granting tax exemptions that favored Milchan.

In November 2019, then-Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit decided to indict Netanyahu on charges of fraud and breach of trust, and his trial began on May 24, 2020.

In April 2023, Hadas Klein, the personal assistant of Milchan, testified in the case, stating that Netanyahu and his wife personally requested gifts, including champagne and cigars, according to the official Israeli public broadcaster KAN.

According to her testimony, Milchan and Packer split the cost of the gifts. She also recounted the extensive use of Packer's home by the Netanyahu family. They frequently used his pool and would ask his housekeeper to prepare meals for them even when he was not present.

Case 2000—'The Netanyahu–Mozes Case'

This case centers on alleged dealings between Netanyahu and Arnon “Noni” Mozes, the publisher of the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.

Police launched the investigation in 2017 after recordings surfaced of Netanyahu discussing a deal in which Mozes would provide favorable coverage for him and his family and unfavorable coverage for rivals in exchange for legislation restricting the rival newspaper Israel Hayom and bringing substantial financial benefits to Mozes and his businesses.

The deal was never implemented, but prosecutors say the recordings show mutual intent. Netanyahu was charged with fraud and breach of trust, and Mozes with attempted bribery, in November 2019. Their trial also began in May 2020.

Case 4000—'The Bezeq–Walla Case'

It is a criminal investigation conducted by the Lahav 433 unit of the Israel Police, in cooperation with the Israel Securities and Exchange Commission, beginning in June 2017.

The investigation included suspicions of improper ties between Netanyahu and Shaul Elovitch, the controlling shareholder of the Bezeq telecommunications group, who also owned the Walla news website at the time.

Netanyahu’s trial in this case began in May 2020, after Attorney General Mandelblit decided to indict the prime minister on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.

Netanyahu is accused of “pushing through regulatory decisions that benefited Shaul Elovitch, the controlling shareholder of Bezeq, Israel’s largest telecommunications company—despite opposition from officials in the Communications Ministry—in exchange for favorable coverage from Walla,” according to The Times of Israel.