Knesset Speaker Demands President Grant Pardon to Prime Minister

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana has formally requested that President Yitzhak Herzog grant a pardon to the Prime Minister. Ohana's dramatic appeal follows his attendance at the testimony of former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, which Ohana described as revealing severe failures in the law enforcement system.

In a detailed letter, Ohana expressed shock at Mandelblit's testimony, stating that even the remaining charges against the Prime Minister were based on illegal investigative actions conducted without Mandelblit's knowledge or approval. Ohana noted that Mandelblit did not recall reviewing claims of alleged positive media coverage or even signing the amended indictment.

Ohana emphasized that the chain of failures and legal irregularities necessitates a broad systemic response, not just media reports, and requires a presidential decision on the pardon request. He criticized the law enforcement system and pardon department, suggesting the entire system acted with a political motive to end the Prime Minister's tenure.

Based on his extensive legal experience, Ohana argued that granting an immediate pardon is the most just and courageous decision given the findings. He also sharply criticized the delay in processing the pardon request, which has been before the President for approximately seven months, calling the drawn-out proceedings a "malady" of the justice system and stating that the revealed facts are sufficient to decide the request.