Jerusalem, April 27, 2026 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suffered a significant legal setback as his long-running corruption trial shows no sign of ending soon, following fresh remarks from President Isaac Herzog.
In a recent statement, Herzog indicated that he would only consider Netanyahu’s request for a presidential pardon after all efforts to reach a negotiated settlement with prosecutors are fully exhausted. This suggests that any decision on clemency is unlikely in the near future, prolonging the prime minister’s legal uncertainty.
“The president believes that before addressing the pardon request itself, efforts should first be exhausted to reach an agreement between the parties outside the courtroom,” the statement said.
Netanyahu is currently facing three corruption cases involving allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust—charges he has consistently denied. The cases stem from investigations that began nearly a decade ago and formally went to trial in 2020.
According to reports, Herzog is considering facilitating mediation between the prosecution and Netanyahu’s legal team to reach a plea deal, which could potentially resolve the case without a full trial. However, no official confirmation has been given on whether such mediation has begun.
The Israeli leader had submitted a request for a pardon in November, but legal experts note that granting clemency before a trial concludes would be highly unusual under Israeli law.
Netanyahu’s ongoing trial—making him the first sitting Israeli prime minister to face criminal charges—has deeply divided public opinion and continues to cast a shadow over Israel’s political landscape ahead of the next national elections.
