Israeli opposition announces its objection to pardoning Netanyahu

Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition parties, said in a video message on X that he urges the president not to grant Netanyahu a pardon, arguing that without acknowledging wrongdoing, expressing remorse, and stepping away from political life, a pardon cannot be given.

Yair Golan, leader of the opposition party known as “The Democrats,” also wrote: “Only the guilty and wrongdoers ask for a pardon. After eight years of trial, and while the cases against him have not been closed, Netanyahu is now requesting a pardon.”

Golan added: “The only acceptable agreement is for Netanyahu to take responsibility, admit his wrongdoing, leave politics, and free the people and the state… Only then can national unity be achieved.”

Merav Cohen, former minister and current member of the Knesset, also stated that granting Netanyahu a pardon without accepting responsibility, expressing remorse, and immediately retiring from political life would be a blank check for future prime ministers — enabling them to commit criminal acts and then request a pardon by claiming that “the ongoing trial harms national interests.”

Cohen continued: “This (pardoning Netanyahu) would be a destructive step for Israel. On the other hand, if Netanyahu accepts responsibility and retires, we will all have a chance to begin rebuilding Israel. And, in a way that may surprise many, 99% of the poisonous campaign against the judiciary would simply disappear along with Netanyahu and his toxic apparatus.”

Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of the Israeli regime, formally requested a pardon from President Herzog on Sunday for the corruption charges he faces — including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust — but did not admit to any wrongdoing in his request.