According to reports from Hebrew media, the Pardon Department of the Israeli Ministry of Justice has finalized its legal opinion and forwarded the document to Isaac Herzog, who holds the final authority to grant or reject such a request.

In its carefully worded assessment, the department concluded that Netanyahu’s request does not meet the required legal standards for a pardon. Officials pointed out that the prime minister has neither admitted wrongdoing nor shown remorse two key elements typically expected when someone seeks clemency before a verdict.

The corruption trial against Netanyahu is still unfolding in the courts. Despite years of hearings, no final conviction has yet been delivered, making the pardon request even more unusual.

Back in 2019, the then Attorney General formally charged Netanyahu with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, setting off one of the most dramatic political and legal sagas in Israel’s history. The case moved to the Tel Aviv District Court in 2020, where proceedings have stretched on for more than five years.

Throughout the trial, Netanyahu has firmly denied every allegation, describing the charges as politically motivated. Still, the courtroom drama has continued, with prosecutors presenting what they say are substantial pieces of evidence.

In 2025, Netanyahu surprised many observers by filing a request for a presidential pardon while the trial was still underway. The move stirred sharp debate across Israeli society, with some seeing it as a practical step to end a long legal battle, while others called it an attempt to sidestep justice.

Israel’s High Court has previously ruled that a pardon can technically be granted before sentencing, but it usually requires the applicant to acknowledge the offense and express regret conditions that Netanyahu’s request appears to lack.

Adding another layer to the controversy, reports also suggested that Donald Trump had encouraged Israeli leadership to consider granting the pardon. However, President Herzog has publicly stated that any decision will be made independently and strictly within the framework of justice.

For now, the fate of Netanyahu’s request rests in Herzog’s hands. Whether the president chooses caution or clemency, one thing is clear: Israel’s most high profile corruption case is far from its final chapter.