Netanyahu faces three separate corruption cases filed in 2019: Case 1000, Case 2000, and Case 4000, which include charges of 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 if he is pardoned, he would be able to strengthen Israel at a time of crisis in the Middle East.
The Israeli PM’s statement comes weeks after United States President Donald Trump urged Herzog to pardon Netanyahu.
Netanyahu’s 111-page pardon request submitted to Herzog’s office refers to Trump’s earlier request.
Analysts and observers believe that in his efforts to avoid trials and possible conviction, Netanyahu is prolonging and expanding Israel’s genocidal assault on the besieged Gaza Strip.
Will Netanyahu have to admit guilt for pardon?
In his pardon request, Netanyahu did not admit guilt or wrongdoing.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said Netanyahu could not be pardoned “without an admission of guilt, an expression of remorse and immediate retirement from political life.”
However, legally, it is not necessary to admit guilt, Dana Blunder, a research fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, wrote in an article. There are no legal conditions for forgiveness.
The pardon request will first be reviewed by the Justice Ministry’s pardon department, which will send its opinion to Herzog’s office.
Although the President usually follows the ministry’s recommendation, he is not required to do so.
Herzog previously said he considered a negotiated settlement between prosecutors and Netanyahu’s legal team to be the most effective way to end the legal case.
How have Israeli leaders and people responded?
Israelis protested outside Herzog’s home in Tel Aviv on Sunday night against Netanyahu’s pardon petition, joined by opposition politicians including Naama Lazimi.
Herzog and Netanyahu are former political rivals, but have a good working relationship.
A statement from Herzog’s office in response to the pardon request said, “After receiving all relevant opinions, the President will consider the request responsibly and honestly.”
“He basically says, ‘I’m completely innocent,'” Yohanan Plesner, president of The Israel Democracy Institute, told the Associated Press news agency.
“So there is no perception of accountability… This could present a problematic message for all public figures and how our public norms might look.”
What is the allegation against Netanyahu?
Here’s an analysis:
Case 1000, ‘Gift Case’
Netanyahu was accused in 2019, when he was prime minister, of fraud and breach of trust during his tenure as communications minister from 2014 to 2017.
The allegations say that Netanyahu and his wife Sara received lavish gifts worth about $200,000, including champagne and cigars, from two wealthy businessmen in exchange for political favors.
The businessmen are Israeli Hollywood film producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer.
Milchan testified that he provided gifts to Netanyahu in June 2020. Packer was also implicated in sharing the cost of these expensive gifts with Milchan.
Netanyahu is accused of furthering Milchan’s interests by lobbying US officials on his behalf to help secure a US visa renewal. He is also accused of pushing through tax exemption legislation that could have benefited Israelis abroad, like Milchan.
As far as Packer is concerned, media reports claimed he was making large investments in Israel, and his lawyers had inquired about Israeli citizenship or residency for the billionaire, which would give him tax-wise benefits.
Fraud and breach of trust are punishable by up to three years in prison, while bribery is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine.
The value of the goods was approximately 700,000 shekels ($186,000), according to a statement made by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit following the indictment.
Case 2000, ‘Netanyahu-Moses case’
He is also charged with fraud and breach of trust in the case, which says Netanyahu struck a deal with businessman Aron Mozes, a controlling shareholder of the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, which was critical of Netanyahu.
The alleged deal was for favorable coverage of Netanyahu in exchange for legislation to slow the growth of the rival Israel Hayom newspaper, which had overtaken Yedioth Ahronoth. A legislative bill was being considered that would limit the proliferation of Israel Hayom.
Despite the “deep rivalry” between the two men, they held three series of meetings between 2008 and 2014, the indictment summary says.
The indictment states that during these meetings, Netanyahu and Mozes “engaged in discussions regarding promoting their common interests: improving the coverage Mr. Netanyahu receives in the ‘Yedioth Ahronoth’ media group; and banning the ‘Israel Hayom’ newspaper”.
Case 4000, the ‘Bezeq case’
The case accuses Netanyahu of giving regulatory favors to Israeli telecommunications company Bezeq in exchange for positive coverage on Walla, a news website controlled by its former president.
Netanyahu, then communications minister, reportedly provided regulatory benefits to Bezeq owner Shaul Elovich, who also controlled the news website Walla.
Benefits reportedly included mergers and financial gains. In return, Elovich provided favorable coverage to Netanyahu and his wife.
“Netanyahu dealt with regulatory matters related to Mr. Elovich on numerous occasions, and took specific actions that furthered Mr. Elovich’s significant business interests of substantial financial value,” the indictment summary said.
In this case, apart from fraud and betrayal, Netanyahu has also been accused of bribery.
Which other Israeli politicians have been accused of corruption?
Since 1996, every Israeli prime minister has been the subject of a corruption investigation.
1996-99
Netanyahu was investigated in his first term as Prime Minister for reasons including a bribery scheme and influence peddling.
1999-2001
Prime Minister Ehud Barak was investigated on charges of illegal campaign financing, bribery and money laundering.
2001-06
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was accused of taking millions of dollars in bribes in the late 1990s, known as the Greek Islands affair.
2006-09
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was convicted of taking $430,000 in bribes while mayor of Jerusalem. He was jailed in February 2016 on charges of 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.
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