Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked President Isaac Herzog on Sunday Forgive him for bribery and fraud charges to end his five-year corruption trial.
Netanyahu faces three separate corruption cases filed in 2019: Case 1000, Case 2000, and Case 4000, which allege bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
Here’s what we know:
What is Netanyahu’s argument?
Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing and claims the corruption trial is a “deep state” conspiracy, a politically orchestrated “witch-hunt” by rivals and the media.
He has also argued that pardoning him would strengthen Israel in times of crisis in the Middle East.
The Israeli prime minister’s submission comes weeks after United States President Donald Trump called on Herzog to pardon Netanyahu.
The 111-page pardon request submitted by Netanyahu to Herzog’s office refers to an earlier request by Trump.
Analysts and observers believe that Netanyahu is expanding and expanding in his efforts to avoid trials and possible convictions. Genocide of Israel on the besieged Gaza Strip.
Will Netanyahu have to plead guilty to pardon?
In his apology, Netanyahu did not admit guilt or wrongdoing.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said Netanyahu could not be pardoned “without admitting guilt, expressing remorse and immediately retiring from political life”.
Legally, however, an admission of guilt is not required, Dana Blender, a research fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, wrote in an article. Legally, there are no conditions for amnesty.
The pardon request will first be reviewed by the Justice Ministry’s Pardons Division, which will forward its opinion to Herzog’s office.
The President usually follows the recommendation of the Ministry, but is not required to do so.
Herzog has previously said he sees a negotiated settlement between prosecutors and Netanyahu’s legal team as the most effective way to conclude the legal case.
How are Israeli leaders and people reacting?
Israeli protested Opposition politicians, including Nama Lazimi, joined outside Herzog’s home in Tel Aviv on Sunday night against Netanyahu’s apology.
Herzog and Netanyahu are former political rivals, but have a good working relationship.
“After receiving all relevant opinions, the president will consider the request responsibly and honestly,” Herzog’s office said in a statement in response to the pardon request.
“He’s basically saying, ‘I’m completely innocent,'” Yohanan Plessner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute, told The Associated Press news agency.
“So there’s no presumption of responsibility … all of this can send a problematic message to public figures and what our public rules might look like.”
What are the charges against Netanyahu?
Here’s a breakdown:
Case 1000, ‘The Gift Case’
Netanyahu was indicted in 2019, while he was prime minister, for fraud and breach of trust during his tenure as communications minister from 2014 to 2017.
Netanyahu and his wife Sarah received lavish gifts worth about $200,000, including champagne and cigars, from two wealthy businessmen in exchange for political favors.
Professionals include Israeli Hollywood film producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer.
Milchan testified that he gave gifts to Netanyahu in June 2020. Packer shared the cost of these expensive gifts with Milchan.
Netanyahu is accused of lobbying US officials to further Milchan’s interests. He is also accused of pushing legislation for tax breaks that could benefit Israelis abroad, such as Milchan.
In Packer’s case, media reports claimed he was investing heavily in Israel and his lawyers had inquired about Israeli citizenship or residency for the billionaire, which would have given him a tax advantage.
Fraud and breach of trust are punishable by up to three years in prison, while bribery is punishable by up to 10 years and/or a fine.
According to a statement issued by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit after the indictment, the goods were valued at approximately 700,000 shekels ($186,000).
Case 2000, ‘The Netanyahu-Moses Affair’
The case, which also charges him with fraud and breach of trust, is based on Netanyahu’s agreement with businessman Aaron Moses, the controlling shareholder of the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, who has been critical of Netanyahu.
The alleged deal was to slow the growth of rival Israel Hayom newspaper, which had overtaken Yedioth Ahronoth, in exchange for favorable coverage of Netanyahu. A legislative bill was being considered that would limit the circulation of Israel Hayom.
A summary of the indictment states that, despite a “deep enmity” between the two men, they held three serial meetings between 2008 and 2014.
During these meetings, Netanyahu and Moses “engaged in discussions regarding the promotion of their common interests: improving the coverage Mr. Netanyahu received in the ‘Yedioth Ahronath’ media group; and imposing restrictions on the ‘Israel Hayom’ newspaper”, the indictment said.
Case 4000, ‘The Bezek Affair’
The case accuses Netanyahu of granting regulatory favors to Israeli telecommunications company Bezeq, in exchange for Walla, a news website its former president controls.
Then-Communications Minister Netanyahu granted regulatory favors to Bezeq owner Shaul Elovich, who also controlled the news website Walla.
Perceived benefits include mergers and financial benefits. In return, Elovich provided favorable coverage to Netanyahu and his wife.
Netanyahu “dealt on several occasions in regulatory matters related to Mr. Elovich and took specific actions that furthered Mr. Elovich’s significant financial interests,” the indictment summary said.
In addition to fraud and breach of trust, Netanyahu is charged with bribery in the case.
What other Israeli politicians were accused of corruption?
Since 1996, Every Israeli prime minister It has become the subject of a corruption investigation.
1996-99
Netanyahu, during his first term as prime minister, was investigated for reasons including kickback schemes and influence peddling.
1999-2001
Prime Minister Ehud Barak was investigated over allegations of illegal campaign financing, bribery and money laundering.
2001-06
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was accused of accepting millions of dollars in bribes in the late 1990s in what became known as the Greek Island affair.
2006-09
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was convicted of accepting $430,000 in bribes while mayor of Jerusalem. He was jailed in February 2016 for fraud, breach of trust, falsification of corporate records and tax evasion.
2009-21
Netanyahu returned to the post of Prime Minister. During this period he was charged in the above cases, while two other cases against him were dropped.