Knesset Speaker Urges President to Pardon Netanyahu

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana has appealed to Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog to approve Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request for a pardon. The appeal follows a court hearing where former government legal advisor Avichai Mandelblit testified in the case against the prime minister. Ohana presented his interpretation of Mandelblit's testimony, arguing it necessitates a presidential decision on Netanyahu's pardon request. Ohana stated he was "shocked" to learn from Mandelblit's testimony that even the remaining charges, after judges twice suggested the prosecution withdraw the bribery charge, were based on "illegal investigative actions" conducted without Mandelblit's knowledge or permission. The Knesset Speaker highlighted that Mandelblit did not review details of 315 alleged instances of positive media coverage mentioned in the amended indictment and does not recall signing it personally. Ohana believes these circumstances indicate serious irregularities that should prompt President Herzog to act on Netanyahu's pardon plea. Furthermore, Ohana accused legal bodies reviewing the request of aiming to end the prime minister's political career, suggesting they would only accept a compromise leading to that outcome. Previously, President Herzog had urged Netanyahu to respond to an offer to discuss a potential plea deal in his criminal case.