Netanyahu pursues corruption pardon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday asked the country’s president to grant him a pardon from corruption charges, seeking to end his long-running trial that he says has unnecessarily divided the nation.

- By Sam MEDNICK

OHAD ZWIGENBERG Associated Press

THE REQUEST by Benjamin Netanyahu, the only sitting Israeli premier to stand trial, drew criticism.

Netanyahu, who has been at war against Israel's legal system over the charges, said the request would help unify the country at a time of momentous change in the Middle East. But it immediately triggered denunciations from opponents, who said a pardon would weaken democratic institutions and send a dangerous message that he’s above the rule of law.

The prime minister's office said in a statement that he had submitted a request for a pardon to the presidential office’s legal department. The president’s office called it an “extraordinary request,” one that carries “significant implications.”

Netanyahu is the only sitting prime minister in Israeli history to stand trial, after being charged with fraud, breach of trust and bribe-taking in three separate cases accusing him of exchanging favors with wealthy supporters.

Netanyahu rejects the allegations and has described the case as a witch hunt orchestrated by the media, police and judiciary.

His request comes weeks after President Trump urged Israel to pardon Netanyahu. Trump, who has faced a series of criminal cases and is the only felon to occupy the White House, has tried to intervene on behalf of other allies charged with crimes, including imprisoned former President Jair Bolosonaro of Brazil.

Last month, Trump also sent a letter to President Isaac Herzog calling the corruption case “political, unjustified prosecution.”

Herzog is a former political rival of Netanyahu, but the men have a good working relationship.