Israeli president says Netanyahu pardon only after plea deals explored

Israel's president says he’s in no hurry to pardon Netanyahu

Mohan Sinha
28 Apr 2026, 21:13 GMT+10

Israel's president says he is in no hurry to consider Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request for a pardon in his corruption trial until all efforts for a plea deal are exhausted.
In Israel, the president can pardon convicted individuals, but there has never been a case in which a pardon was granted during an ongoing trial.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged Herzog to pardon Netanyahu, including in March during the Iran war, when the trial was paused.

JERUSALEM, Israel: Israel's president signaled that he was in no hurry to consider Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request for a pardon in his corruption trial and would prefer to wait until all efforts for a plea deal are exhausted.

Benjamin Netanyahu's legal problems started about 10 years ago and have divided people in Israel. They also caused political instability, leading to five elections between 2019, when he was charged, and 2022. The next election is expected by the end of October 2026.

Netanyahu says he is not guilty of bribery, fraud, or breach of trust.

President Isaac Herzog said on April 26 that reaching an agreement would be the best solution. He explained that before considering a pardon, both sides should try to settle the matter out of court. His statement came after a New York Times report said he might try to help arrange a plea deal and delay any decision on a pardon.

A spokesperson for Herzog did not give any additional details, and Netanyahu's office did not respond to questions.

Netanyahu had asked for a pardon in November. In Israel, the president can pardon convicted individuals, but there has never been a case in which a pardon was granted during an ongoing trial.

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged Herzog to pardon Netanyahu, including in March during the Iran war, when the trial was paused.

Netanyahu is expected to return to court this week as the trial, which started in 2020, continues. He is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to face criminal charges.