Netanyahu’s pardon move: What it means

LEGAL RISKS, POLITICAL FALLOUT AND WHAT’S NEXT

- BY STEPHEN N. R.

Recently, US President Donald Trump publicly urged Israel to pardon

(AFP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made an unprecedented request for a presidential pardon while still on trial for corruption — a move that has triggered political uproar, raised legal questions and further exposed the deep divides in Israeli society.

President Isaac Herzog has vowed to weigh the request strictly according to “the best interests of the State of Israel,” stressing that the matter will be handled “correctly and precisely.”

Netanyahu, who denies all wrongdoing, says a pardon would help “lower the flames” at a moment of national strain.

Here’s what you need to know.

Netanyahu says the multiyear corruption cases have become a national burden and are “tearing Israel apart.”