Protests Erupt in Tel Aviv as Netanyahu Requests Pardon in Fraud cases
Tel Aviv, Israel - Demonstrations took place in Tel Aviv after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally requested a pardon from President Isaac herzog regarding ongoing fraud and breach of trust charges. The move has ignited a political firestorm within Israel, drawing both strong condemnation from opposition leaders and vocal support from his coalition allies.
NetanyahuS request is unusual as pardons in Israel are traditionally granted after a conviction has been secured through legal proceedings. This request comes amidst a backdrop of intense scrutiny surrounding Netanyahu,who is also subject to arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in November 2024. The ICC warrants, issued alongside those for former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, allege war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The conflict in Gaza has resulted in a significant loss of life, with over 70,000 Palestinians killed and nearly 171,000 wounded, the majority being women and children, according to reports.
The pardon request follows public calls from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who urged Israel to grant Netanyahu a pardon during a speech to the Israeli parliament and in a subsequent letter to President Herzog, characterizing the case as a “political, unjustified prosecution.”
Opposition figures have swiftly criticized the move. Opposition leader Yair Lapid stated that a pardon should only be considered if Netanyahu admits guilt, expresses remorse, and resigns from political life. Yair Golan, a former deputy chief of the military, directly called for Netanyahu’s resignation and urged President Herzog to deny the pardon request, asserting, “only the guilty seek pardon.” the Movement for Quality Goverment in Israel warned that granting a pardon would establish a risky precedent, suggesting some citizens are above the law.
outside President Herzog’s residence, protester Ami Dror voiced concerns that granting the pardon would undermine Israeli democracy, stating the President’s role is to ”protect Israeli democracy… and if you demolish law and order, this might be the end of Israeli democracy.”
Conversely, key members of Netanyahu’s coalition have voiced their support. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich issued statements backing the pardon request. smotrich claimed Netanyahu has been targeted by a “corrupt judicial system” fabricating cases against him, while Defence Minister Israel Katz argued a pardon would help heal the “deep rift” within Israeli society.
Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst Marwan Bishara described Netanyahu as a “liability for Israel,” pointing to his pre-war efforts to weaken Israel’s judiciary and the subsequent widespread protests. Bishara also highlighted the ICC indictment for war crimes and the ongoing proceedings at the International Court of Justice regarding the war in Gaza, stating Netanyahu is now an “international fugitive.” He concluded that Netanyahu’s continued leadership hinders Israel’s economic recovery,societal healing,and the potential for ending the conflict.
