Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in court on Monday for the first time since asking the country's president for clemency in his ongoing corruption trial, Reuters reported, BTA reports.
The request drew criticism from opposition politicians, who insist that a pardon should be tied to Netanyahu's withdrawal from politics and an admission of guilt. Some have said the prime minister should first hold national elections, scheduled for October 2026.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said he would support ending the trial if Netanyahu agreed to step down "to get Israel out of chaos" and to unite the country. Polls show Bennett as the most likely candidate to form the next government if the current prime minister steps down.
Netanyahu has been indicted since 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He denies wrongdoing and has pleaded not guilty in his pardon application. His lawyers say his frequent court appearances are hindering his ability to govern and that a pardon would be good for the country.
A small group of protesters gathered outside the courthouse in Tel Aviv, some wearing orange prison jumpsuits, calling for Netanyahu to be arrested. One protester said it was unacceptable for the prime minister to seek a pardon without admitting guilt.
Allies in the right-wing coalition government supported Netanyahu's request, which came two weeks after Donald Trump wrote to President Isaac Herzog in which the former US president called the cases against Netanyahu "political persecution".
Pardons in Israel are usually granted after a trial has concluded and the defendant has been convicted. There is no precedent for granting a pardon during the trial.