Netanyahu seeks pardon as his corruption trial intensifies divisions in Israel and fuels new political and legal debates.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally asked President Isaac Herzog for a pardon, saying his long corruption trial is pulling the country apart.

Netanyahu, who is standing trial on multiple graft charges, made the announcement on Sunday in a video message. He said the legal battle, now in its sixth year, could drag on for many more, deepening national tensions.

According to him, although he wanted to clear his name in court, the ongoing political and security situation has made that unrealistic.

He insisted the trial is fuelling internal divisions and widening rifts across Israel.

His request comes shortly after former US President Donald Trump reportedly wrote to Herzog urging him to pardon the Israeli leader. Netanyahu has consistently denied all allegations.

The cases against him include accusations that he and his wife, Sara, received luxury gifts worth more than $260,000 from wealthy businessmen in return for political favours. Other charges centre on claims that he pushed for favourable media coverage.

Netanyahu said the court’s requirement for him to testify three times a week made the situation unbearable, calling it “an impossible demand.”

He argued that ending the trial now would help calm the political atmosphere and promote reconciliation.

His lawyers also submitted a detailed 111-page letter supporting the request, though it contained no admission of guilt.

Herzog’s office has described the application as “extraordinary” and promised to consider it carefully once all legal opinions are received.

The president had earlier hinted that a pardon was possible, saying the case weighs heavily on the nation.

Netanyahu, 76, is Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, having spent over 18 years in office across three terms since 1996.

His latest term introduced sweeping judicial reforms that sparked months of mass protests before the Gaza war shifted national attention in late 2023. Despite the legal cloud, he has said he plans to run again before elections due in 2026.

The pardon request has drawn sharp criticism.

Legal scholar Eli Salzberger called the timing “an orchestrated move,” especially coming weeks after Trump’s intervention. He noted that Israeli law only allows pardons for people already convicted, warning that any approval would likely be challenged in the Supreme Court.

He added that a rejection could push Netanyahu toward a plea deal—something the prime minister has rejected so far.

Opposition figures also lashed out.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid said a pardon should only be considered if Netanyahu admits guilt, shows remorse and steps away from politics entirely.

Yair Golan of the Democrats argued simply: “Only the guilty seek pardon.”

But Netanyahu’s allies came to his defence.

Defence Minister Israel Katz said granting a pardon would help end nearly a decade of political division.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich accused the judicial system of targeting Netanyahu with fabricated cases.

Netanyahu is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to face a corruption trial.

Former leader Ehud Olmert resigned before his own trial in 2009 and later served 27 months in prison for fraud.

After the announcement, protesters gathered outside Herzog’s residence in Tel Aviv, urging him to reject the request.

Activist Shikma Bressler said Israelis “understand what is at stake,” accusing Netanyahu of trying to dismantle the judicial system.

Another protester, Moshe Radman, said the prime minister was attempting to “run from his trial,” while Ami Dror warned that weakening the rule of law could threaten Israel’s democracy.