A former judge of Israel’s highest court does not expect a pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is accused of corruption.
03/26/2026, 06:1303/26/2026, 06:13
Former judge Izchak Zamir told Israel’s Kan broadcaster that President Izchak Herzog would violate the law with such a pardon.
There are still allegations of corruption against Benjamin Netanyahu.Image: keystone
Conditions for a pardon not met
“That’s why I believe that he (Netanyahu) will not pardon as long as the head of government does not admit in writing the offenses attributed to him,” said the former judge.
Only in one case has a pardon been granted in Israel so far, even though those affected had not previously been convicted in court. But they had previously admitted their guilt.
It is unclear when Herzog can expect a decision on Netanyahu’s highly explosive request for clemency. He now has a report from the Ministry of Justice on this matter.
Netanyahu justified his request for clemency with tensions in the country
Netanyahu submitted the request for clemency in November. As a reason, he cited, among other things, violent disputes in Israel over his corruption trial. It’s been running for almost six years. The head of government is accused of fraud, breach of trust and bribery.
US President Donald Trump had repeatedly called on Herzog to pardon Netanyahu and also massively personally attacked and insulted him.
Ex-judge warns of threats to democracy
The former judge expressed grave concern about Netanyahu’s government’s efforts to weaken the country’s judiciary. “Three years ago the government began a campaign to destroy democracy,” said Zamir. Israel has now almost reached the point of sole rule by Netanyahu. “The prime minister controls the government and the government controls the parliament,” he said. There is no real separation of powers, as is necessary in a democracy. All that is left is an independent judiciary, which they also want to demolish. If this were to succeed, it would be “the end of democracy” in Israel, he warned.
Netanyahu’s government, however, argued that the court was too powerful in Israel and interfered too much in political issues and that it simply wanted to restore balance. (sda/dpa)