Sharp political division in Tel Aviv over Netanyahu's pardon, Herzog accuses the latter of crossing red lines

Political and legal circles in Tel Aviv are witnessing a sharp division over the possibility of granting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a presidential pardon that would end his legal prosecution. Opposition leader Yair Lapid linked any serious movement on this issue to the necessity of submitting a new legal request that includes an explicit admission of guilt, an expression of remorse, and acceptance of what is known as 'legal stigma'. This came after consultations held by Lapid with the President of the entity, Isaac Herzog, emphasizing that these conditions are the only way to deal with the issue according to official frameworks.

For her part, the Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara intervened in the crisis to clarify the legal position, denying reports that a final professional opinion on the matter was imminent. Baharav-Miara affirmed that the pardon request had not yet undergone thorough technical examination, stressing that this issue would be dealt with exclusively according to established legal procedures without favoritism or exceptions for any political party, regardless of its position.

In a related context, the Presidency's office clarified that the pardon file is currently with the Ministry of Justice to obtain the necessary legal advice before taking any step. The statement issued by the office indicated that President Herzog has not yet made a final decision, and that he intends to study the file away from any internal or external pressures that may be exerted on him. The office stressed the importance of maintaining the independence of the presidency in making sensitive sovereign decisions.

The crisis took an unprecedented international dimension after the sharp attack launched by former US President Donald Trump on Herzog, describing the refusal to grant Netanyahu a pardon as 'disgraceful'. Trump demanded that Herzog retract his position, considering that the continuation of the trial harms the status of the United States' most prominent ally. This intervention led Herzog to consider Netanyahu's behavior in this context as crossing red lines and a direct infringement on national sovereignty and independent decision-making.

In contrast, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's entourage quickly denied any prior coordination with the American side regarding these controversial statements. Sources close to the Prime Minister's office confirmed that Trump spoke based on his personal view of events without a request from Netanyahu. Despite this denial, observers believe that the current debate deepens the gap between judicial and political institutions in Israel, and puts Netanyahu's political future at stake in light of the opposition's intransigence and the judiciary's adherence to procedures.

Herzog considered Netanyahu's stance in this context as crossing red lines and an infringement on sovereign status.