Israeli President Delays Netanyahu Pardon for Plea Deal

JERUSALEM — Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced on Sunday that he will delay a decision on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request for a pardon in his ongoing corruption trial, prioritizing efforts to negotiate a plea deal between the parties involved.

Herzog's statement came after reports indicated he was considering mediation to facilitate an agreement outside the courtroom. In a release from his office, Herzog emphasized that reaching a resolution through talks would serve the public interest. "The president therefore believes that before addressing the pardon request itself, efforts should first be exhausted to reach an agreement between the parties, outside the courtroom," the statement said. A spokesperson for Herzog declined to confirm whether formal mediation had begun.

Netanyahu, 76, submitted the pardon request in November amid his trial on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three related cases. The proceedings, which began in 2020, accuse him of trading regulatory favors for luxury gifts and favorable media coverage. Netanyahu has denied all wrongdoing, describing the cases as a politically motivated pursuit by opponents. He is the first sitting...