Ohana Urges President to Pardon Netanyahu Amid Ongoing Trial

Amir Ohana sent a pardon request for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to President Isaac Herzog, though the letter carries no independent legal effect and bypasses the established clemency process managed by the Justice Ministry.

The Nature of Ohana’s Appeal

Ohana, a lawyer, argued in his letter that the ongoing corruption proceedings stem from flawed investigative actions. He pointed directly to testimony given by former attorney-general Avichai Mandelblit before the Jerusalem District Court. I was shocked to learn from the former attorney-general’s testimony that even the remaining charges – after the panel of judges twice suggested that prosecutors withdraw the bribery charge, thus indicating, in their view, that no such bribery ever took place – are based on unlawful investigative actions conducted without his knowledge or approval, Ohana wrote in his letter.

Despite Ohana’s characterization, the legal weight of the letter remains purely symbolic. Israeli law allows any individual to submit a clemency request, but Ohana holds no formal role in the clemency process and lacks the legal authority to issue a binding pardon request. Sarah Ben-Nun and Yonah Jeremy Bob reported that the letter functions as a political appeal rather than a formal administrative step.

Mandelblit Testimony Diverges from Ohana Account

Ohana’s account of Mandelblit’s court appearance diverges from the record established during Sunday’s hearing at the Jerusalem District Court. Mandelblit testified that investigators executed several serious steps without his direct approval, yet he also maintained that he authorized the broader investigations and was not required to sign off on every individual police action. Prosecutors continue to dispute the defense team’s interpretation of these events as the trial moves through the defense stage.

In 2021, a panel of judges rejected a defense request to dismiss the indictment over the authorization controversy, though they criticized prosecutors for lacking separate written approvals. The trial itself began in 2020, meaning Netanyahu’s legal battle has stretched across more than five years.

Netanyahu Seeks Unprecedented Pardon During Active Trial

Netanyahu filed a formal pardon request in November 2025. That application traveled through the Justice Ministry’s Pardons Department before landing on President Isaac Herzog’s desk. President Herzog holds the authority to grant pardons, but the President’s Office maintains a policy of considering clemency requests only after legal proceedings have ended.

While the Supreme Court has occasionally upheld presidential authority to grant a pardon before an indictment in rare circumstances, Netanyahu’s push to halt an active trial remains unprecedented.

What Remains Unresolved

President Herzog has not yet indicated how or when he will respond to the formal November 2025 clemency petition, nor has the President’s Office issued a statement regarding Ohana’s separate letter. The Jerusalem District Court trial continues as defense proceedings move forward, leaving the ultimate timeline for a verdict uncertain.