Israeli president’s ally threatens leaks over political pardon for Netanyahu

Israeli media have reported allegations that businessman Moti Snider, once a close associate of President Isaac Herzog, issued threats to the President’s Residence warning that he would publish “embarrassing information” about Herzog’s relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if the president approves a lenient political pardon for the prime minister.

According to Haaretz, Snider—who previously played an influential role in mediation efforts to form a unity government between Herzog and Netanyahu—claimed to possess details of a “prior understanding” between the two men on the issue of a pardon. The presidency has categorically denied any such arrangement.

The newspaper said efforts have been under way in recent days to contain the dispute through contacts between associates of both parties.

Snider had long advocated granting Netanyahu a pardon before an indictment was filed, on the condition that he withdraw from political life. Haaretz reported that Herzog had privately discussed the concept during closed-door meetings, including with former president Reuven Rivlin.

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The report noted that journalist Ben Caspit of Maariv revealed last week that one of Herzog’s close associates had sought a legal opinion from senior lawyer Eyal Rozovsky on “the possibility of granting a pardon to someone who has not yet been convicted”. Channel 12 later published the full document, identifying Snider as the person who had requested the opinion. Herzog has “strenuously denied” any involvement.

Relations between Herzog and Snider have deteriorated sharply over the past two years, particularly after Snider shifted politically towards Netanyahu and adopted a position at odds with Herzog regarding the government’s “judicial overhaul”.

In response to the Haaretz report, the President’s Office stated: “Given the sensitive personal situation of the individual concerned, the president will not comment on these allegations.” Snider said only: “I will comment at the appropriate time and place.”

The controversy comes amid renewed public debate in Israel over the possibility of a political settlement that would include a presidential pardon for Netanyahu, whose trial on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust has been ongoing since 2020.

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