Bennett Supports Pardoning Netanyahu If He Leaves Politics

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stated that if a new government is formed and Benjamin Netanyahu retires from political life, he would support a pardon and the termination of legal proceedings against him. In an interview with the "ALL in" podcast, Bennett explained that he harbors no desire for revenge and views Netanyahu as a symbol for significant portions of the public, therefore he does not wish to see him imprisoned or wearing "orange uniforms" (prison attire).

Bennett elaborated on his stance when asked by interviewer Itai Segal about his position in the event of a change in government. "If a new government is indeed formed, Netanyahu is defeated, a pardon, for or against?" Segal asked. Bennett unequivocally replied, "If he goes home and cannot return, certainly for." When Segal sought clarification on whether this meant halting the trial and granting a pardon, Bennett emphasized, "Halting the trial, but he doesn't return to politics, yes."

Bennett further detailed the considerations behind his position, stating, "I have no hatred towards him, no feeling of revenge, it doesn't interest me. But Netanyahu, to a large extent, for no small part of the people of Israel, is already a symbol far beyond a politician. He is at a level where he is perceived, there is the flag, there is the menorah, there is Netanyahu."

He continued to explain the public and national implications of prosecuting or imprisoning a former prime minister, referencing Netanyahu's status among his supporters. "I have no interest in seeing a part of the nation's symbol trampled, humiliated, or harmed. Also, you know, the man is almost 80, Jewish, not young. I don't want to see him in orange uniforms. He didn't go and murder. He likely committed offenses that are not right, but unequivocally, if he is out of politics, I don't want to see him in jail."