Pardon

Isaac Herzog has to contend with a tremendous dilemma regarding the pardon request. Like the trial itself, no result is going to be fully accepted and certainly not unifying.

AS Trump's poodle, a pardoned Netanyahu would be less free to speak up when he feels America’s actions go against Israel’s interests.

President Herzog is indeed the last line of defense of an Israeli democracy shaken for the past three years by Netanyahu, who has consistently placed his personal interests above those of his country

Isaac Herzog assumed the office amid the COVID pandemic, followed by judicial reform unrest, and a multi-front war. Now he has the challenge of whether to pardon Benjamin Netanyahu.

"After nearly four years of pain, waiting, and difficult trials, my husband, Juan Orlando Hernandez, returned to being a free man," said Hernandez's wife, Ana Garcia.

Israel deserves a legitimate October 7 inquiry and new elections, amid dramatic efforts to make amends and heal wounds.

Seeking a pardon before a verdict – particularly when the defendant is the prime minister – creates an extraordinary situation that could destabilize the relations between the branches of government.

It would be in Israel’s best interests to grant the request on the condition that Netanyahu agrees to finish out his present term and retire from politics. 

“Almost every issue that is discussed is about whether it is good for Netanyahu or bad for Netanyahu,” he added. “The issue itself doesn’t matter.”

Attorney Kobi Sudri discussed the matter on 103FM with hosts Anat Davidov and Prof. Aryeh Eldad, raising doubts about the legal validity and intent behind the pardon request.

With the haredi draft and West Bank annexation alone, there are major issues on the table to be faced in the future.