“Flagrant Disregard for both Jewish ethics and the legal norms of Israel” – Partners for Progressive Israel Responds to News of Netanyahu’s Request for Pardon

“Flagrant Disregard for both Jewish ethics and the legal norms of Israel” – Partners for Progressive Israel Responds to News of Netanyahu’s Request for Pardon

December 3rd, 2025 –Partners for Progressive Israel expresses deep concern at the news that Israeli Prime Minister – and current criminal defendant – Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a formal pardon from Israel’s President Herzog. This request is not only out of line with the legal proceedings of the State of Israel;  it is also deeply offensive to a populace that has demanded Netanyahu’s resignation, as well as constituting a further assault on Israeli democracy. 

Since 2020, Netanyahu has been on trial in three separate cases involving bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. The trials are ongoing. Israel’s Basic Law makes clear that the Israeli president is authorized to grant a pardon only to “avaryanim”, i.e. to defendants who have already been convicted of a crime. Try as he might, Netanyahu cannot yet invent his own statutes. He will either have to submit to the upcoming verdict of the trial judges or publicly concede that he has committed a felony. We urge the Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog to strictly adhere to the law, lest he contribute to the further corrosion of Israel’s democratic foundations.

Partners’ Executive Director Rabbi Margo Hughes-Robinson said, “Netanyahu’s request this week reflects flagrant disregard for both Jewish ethics and the legal norms of the state he governs. The Rambam teaches that any kind of repentance or repair for misdeeds begins with naming the ways in which one has inflicted harm. Netanyahu’s self-serving corruption continues to put Israelis and Palestinians at risk, and erode Israel’s ability to function as a democratic nation. A request for pardon without proper investigation or conviction again belies both Netanyahu’s deep disrespect for the people he leads, and concerningly also suggests an attempt to import the kind of breakdown of the rule of law and governmental corruption that has bloomed in the United States under the Trump administration.”