Netanyahu submitted a formal pardon application to the President of Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu submitted a formal pardon application to President Herzog.

The Times of Israel reported that Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Hadad, submitted formal pardon application materials to the office of the Prime Minister of Israel on Sunday (November 30), including a 111-page application and Netanyahu's handwritten letter.

Herzog's office has published the full text of the application.

Hadad wrote in the materials that approving Netanyahu's formal pardon application would enable Netanyahu to fully devote himself to promoting Israel's development at a critical time and addressing the challenges and opportunities the country is facing.

He pointed out: "This move will also help bridge the rifting among all social strata, create conditions for easing tensions, and thereby enhance the overall resilience of the country."

The Amnesty Division of the Israeli Ministry of Justice will seek the opinions of all relevant institutions within the department and then submit the recommendations to Herzog's legal counsel.

The Office of the Prime Minister of Israel said in a statement: "The Office of the President is well aware that this is a special request involving significant implications." After integrating all relevant opinions, the president will carefully review this application in a responsible manner.

The head of State of Israel has the authority to pardon those convicted by the court. In very rare cases, if it is determined that it is in the public interest, the pardon may even be granted before the judicial process is concluded.

US President Trump also wrote to Herzog, asking for the pardon of Netanyahu.

Netanyahu is facing three corruption charges, including one count of accepting bribes, three counts of fraud, and three counts of breach of trust. He insisted earlier this month that if a pardon meant admitting to the corruption charges, he would never ask for a pardon.