Benjamin Netanyahu requests pardon in corruption trial

Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition government has seen Israel subjected to a horrific terrorist attack, retaliatory genocide in Gaza, recognition by key Western powers of a Palestinian state, and the total collapse of its international standing. A rarely-mentioned incentive for him to stay in office? The endless crisis of his administration stands between him and the conclusion of his long-running corruption trial. He has a new strategy: requesting a pardon from the country's head of state.

Netanyahu, who has been at war against the country's legal system over the charges, said the request would help unify the country at a time of momentous changes in the region, but it immediately triggered denunciations from his opponents who said it would weaken Israel's democratic institutions and send a dangerous message that he is above the rule of law. …

Netanyahu is the only sitting prime minister in Israeli history to stand trial after being charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three cases accusing him of exchanging favours with wealthy political supporters. He has not yet been convicted of anything.

The charges could send him to jail for decades, though shorter terms are more likely. Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak served 16 months of a six-year corruption sentence before being paroled, for example. And Netanyahu, 76, would surely appeal any conviction.

In 2020, he attempted to arrange immunity from prosecution; earlier this month, U.S. president Donald Trump demanded he be pardoned.

A similar strategy worked well for Texas Attorney Genernal Ken Paxton, who used his office to delay his trial on fraud charges until he found prosecutors willing to cut him a sweetheart deal.