Israel’s Justice Ministry Refuses to Recommend Pardon for Prime Minister Netanyahu

Islamabad: Israel’s Ministry of Justice has decided not to recommend a presidential pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his ongoing corruption cases, signaling a significant setback for the embattled leader.

According to Hebrew media reports, the Pardon Department of the Justice Ministry completed its legal review and forwarded its opinion to President Isaac Herzog via the Minister of Culture and Heritage. The department concluded that Netanyahu’s pardon request does not meet the necessary legal requirements, making a presidential pardon unlikely.

Netanyahu is still facing active court proceedings and has not been convicted of any crime. Moreover, his pardon request reportedly lacked an admission of guilt or any expression of remorse—both considered essential conditions for early clemency under Israeli law. The Israeli Supreme Court has previously ruled that pardons can be granted before conviction, but only if the petitioner acknowledges their wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that former U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly exerted pressure on the Israeli President to grant Netanyahu a pardon, adding an international dimension to the controversy.