Tel Aviv: Thousands of Israelis gathered outside President Isaac Herzog’s residence Sunday night to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent petition for a full pardon amid ongoing corruption trials. The demonstration, marked by fiery slogans and symbolic displays, reflects deepening tensions over Netanyahu’s legal battles and political future.
The protests erupted shortly after Netanyahu, 76, submitted a pardon request to the president without admitting guilt or remorse, fueling public outrage. Demonstrators, including opposition lawmakers such as Naama Lazimi, decried what they called an attempt to undermine justice, branding the move as “Pardon = Banana Republic.” Participants held signs and dressed in costumes, with one protester donning an orange prison jumpsuit and others standing behind a large pile of bananas labeled “pardon.”
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, faces five years of legal proceedings on three separate corruption cases involving bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He is accused of accepting luxury gifts worth over $260,000 from billionaires in exchange for political favors and attempting to influence media coverage in his favor. Netanyahu denies all charges, asserting that the legal process will clear his name.
In a video statement, Netanyahu expressed his desire to see the legal process through but acknowledged that “the security and political reality” compel him to seek a pardon. He warned that the ongoing trials are causing internal divisions and societal rifts.
The controversy intensifies amid international scrutiny. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the conflict in Gaza, where over 70,000 people have been killed and nearly 171,000 wounded.
The timing of Netanyahu’s pardon request coincides with remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump, who publicly called on Israel to pardon Netanyahu, describing the corruption charges as “political, unjustified prosecution.” Trump also sent a letter to Herzog supporting the move.
Historically, pardons in Israel are granted only after legal proceedings conclude and a conviction is secured. Netanyahu’s move has sparked widespread backlash, raising questions about the independence of Israel’s judicial system amid mounting political and international pressures.
