In protest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s petition for a complete pardon from corruption allegations, angry people gathered outside President Isaac Herzog’s residence in Tel Aviv.
Hours after Netanyahu, 76, requested the presidential pardon in his protracted corruption trial without acknowledging guilt or showing regret, the demonstration took place on Sunday night.
Naama Lazimi and other opposition lawmakers joined dozens of activists at the demonstration outside Herzog’s private residence under the banner “Pardon = Banana Republic,” demanding him to deny the request.
While others stood behind a big pile of bananas and a banner that said “pardon,” one demonstrator dressed up as Netanyahu in an orange prison-style jumpsuit.
Well-known antigovernment activist Shikma Bressler said, “He is asking that his trial be completely cancelled without taking any responsibility, without paying the price for how he tore up this country.”
“People of Israel understand what is at stake, and it really is the future of our country,” she added.
The nation’s longest-serving prime minister, Netanyahu, has been on trial for five years in three different corruption cases, involving charges of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust.
Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, are charged with accepting almost $260,000 in luxury goods from millionaires, including champagne, jewellery, and cigars, in return for political favours. In two other instances, he is charged with trying to bargain for more favourable coverage from two Israeli media outlets.
In a 111-page letter to the president’s office, Netanyahu’s attorneys stated that the prime minister still thinks the legal processes would culminate in a total acquittal. Netanyahu has denied the charges.
Netanyahu expressed his desire to see the process through, “but the security and political reality – the national interest – dictate otherwise,” in a video statement.
“The continuation of the trial is tearing us apart from within, arousing fierce divisions, intensifying rifts,” he added.
Herzog’s office acknowledged receiving Netanyahu’s request.
“This is an extraordinary request, which carries with it significant implications. After receiving all of the relevant opinions, the president will responsibly and sincerely consider the request,” it said.
In addition to the domestic charges, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague is also seeking Netanyahu. The Israeli prime minister and former defense minister Yoav Gallant were charged with war crimes, crimes against humanity and received arrest warrants in the genocidal war on Gaza by the ICC in November 2024.
Over 70,000 people, mostly women and children, have died and nearly 171,000 have been wounded in Israel’s war on Palestinian territories.
Netanyahu’s request for a pardon was made weeks after US President Donald Trump addressed Herzog in a speech to Israel’s parliament last month, publicly pleading with Israel to forgive Netanyahu.
In a letter to Herzog earlier this month, Trump referred to the corruption investigation as a “political, unjustified prosecution.”
In Israel, pardons are normally only granted following the conclusion of court procedures and the conviction of the accused. There was an instant backlash against Netanyahu’s request.
Netanyahu should not be pardoned, unless he acknowledges his guilt, expresses regret, and steps down from politics right now, said opposition leader Yair Lapid.
Opposition leader and former military deputy chief Yair Golan urged the president not to pardon the prime minister and demanded that he step down.
Golan said, “Only the guilty seek pardon.”
According to the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, pardoning a prime minister who has been charged with grave fraud and breach of trust would demonstrate that some people are above the law.