tel aviv23 minutes ago
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally apologized to President Isaac Herzog in the corruption cases pending against him. According to the President’s Office, Netanyahu’s lawyer Amit Hadad submitted a 111-page application.
In Israel, the President has the right to pardon people convicted by the court. In cases involving public interest, pardon can be granted even before the completion of the legal process.
US President Donald Trump also wrote a letter to Herzog last week, appealing for clemency in favor of Netanyahu. Earlier, Trump had said that if Netanyahu is punished, we will not tolerate it.
According to Israeli law, unless the Supreme Court finds Netanyahu guilty, he does not need to step down as prime minister.
Three separate cases filed against Netanyahu
The case against Netanyahu started in May 2020. He is facing trial in Israel on three separate counts of fraud, breach of trust and bribery.
1. Case 1000 (Gift Case): Netanyahu is accused of receiving expensive gifts from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer.
These include cigars, champagne, jewelery etc. worth $2 lakh. The allegation is that in return Netanyahu gave him political benefits.
2. Case 2000 (Media Deal Case): Netanyahu is accused of making a deal with the publisher of Yediot Aharonot newspaper for positive coverage for himself. In exchange, he agreed to pass a law that would weaken rival newspaper Israel Hayom.
3. Case 4000 (BJ Telecom Case): In this case, Netanyahu is accused of benefiting a telecom company named BJEC and in return getting news published in his favor on owner Shaul Elovich’s news portal Valla.
Netanyahu has called all these allegations false and politically motivated. At present, a decision in this matter is not expected till at least 2026. After this, Netanyahu can also appeal to the Supreme Court.
Trump has called the case against Netanyahu a political conspiracy
Trump made a post on social media on June 28 in support of Netanyahu. In this post he criticized the ongoing corruption case against Netanyahu.
He called it a political conspiracy. Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social,
What is happening with Netanyahu in Israel is very wrong. He is a war hero and along with America, he has done a great job in stopping Iran’s dangerous nuclear program.
Trump further said, “This is madness and a travesty of justice. America spends billions of dollars every year to help Israel. We will not tolerate this. Netanyahu should be freed from this matter, he has bigger things to do.”
Case filed against Netanyahu in International Criminal Court also
In addition to the domestic trials, the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
There are allegations that they targeted civilians in Gaza and used hunger as a tactic. Although this case is different from corruption cases, it has affected Netanyahu’s image at the international level as well.
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