Former Israeli Supreme Court judge doubts Netanyahu will receive pardon

A former judge of Israel’s Supreme Court has said he does not expect Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to receive a pardon in his ongoing corruption case.

Yitzhak Zamir, a former Supreme Court justice, told Israel’s public broadcaster Kan that President Isaac Herzog would risk violating the law if he were to grant such a pardon under current circumstances.

“That’s why I believe he will not be granted a pardon unless the prime minister admits in writing to the charges against him,” Zamir said.

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Netanyahu, who faces multiple corruption charges, submitted a pardon request in November, though it remains unclear when Herzog will make a decision.

Zamir also voiced concern over what he described as government efforts to weaken the judiciary, warning of broader implications for Israel’s democratic system.

“Three years ago, the government began a campaign to destroy democracy,” he said, adding that the concentration of power between the government and parliament raises questions about the separation of powers, a cornerstone of democratic governance.

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