Israeli opposition leaders say Netanyahu must plead guilty and quit politics before any pardon

Israeli opposition leaders have urged President Isaac Herzog not to grant Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a presidential pardon unless he admits guilt, expresses remorse and permanently withdraws from political life.

Netanyahu, who faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate corruption cases, submitted a request for a presidential pardon on Sunday. He has consistently refused to plead guilty or seek a plea deal, as Israeli law stipulates that a pardon may only be granted after an admission of guilt.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid said in a video published on the X platform: “I appeal to President Herzog… You cannot grant Netanyahu a pardon without a guilty plea, a show of remorse and an immediate withdrawal from political life.”

Yair Golan, another senior opposition figure, wrote on X: “Only the guilty ask for a pardon. After eight years of trial, and when the cases against him have not collapsed, Netanyahu is asking for a pardon.”

Golan added: “The only possible deal is for Netanyahu to take responsibility, admit guilt, leave politics and free the people and the state. Only in this way will national unity be achieved.”

Earlier this month, President Herzog received a letter from US President Donald Trump urging him to consider pardoning Netanyahu. Trump argued that the Israeli prime minister had “steadfastly defended Israel” against “powerful adversaries” and claimed the corruption case was politically motivated.

Netanyahu’s pardon request comes at a politically sensitive moment and has sparked heated public debate over whether he should be allowed to avoid a potential conviction while remaining in office.

READ: Israeli Premier Netanyahu seeks presidential pardon over corruption charges