Israel's President Faces Big Decision: Should Netanyahu Be Pardoned?

President Isaac Herzog is now in a tough spot. He has to decide if he will pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently facing serious corruption charges. Herzog says he will only think about what is best for the country when making this decision. The request for a pardon has caused a lot of debate among the people. Some are upset, while others are having serious discussions about it. Herzog has asked the public to share their thoughts on the matter through the President’s Residence website. Herzog is taking his time to make a decision. He is planning a trip to New York City soon, where he will meet with members of the Jewish community. It is not clear if he will meet with former US President Donald Trump during this trip. Trump has been very vocal about this issue. He has publicly asked Herzog to pardon Netanyahu, saying that the charges against him are not fair. Trump even mentioned this in a speech to the Knesset and later sent a letter to Herzog. Netanyahu's lawyers have argued that a pardon would allow him to focus fully on leading the country during these challenging times. However, many opposition figures disagree. They believe that Netanyahu should resign and admit guilt if he wants a pardon. The charges against Netanyahu include bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He denies any wrongdoing and claims that the charges are politically motivated. His trial has been going on since May 2020 and could take several more years to conclude. Some politicians, like Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman, have suggested that if Herzog does not grant the pardon, Trump might take further action. This could include sanctions against officials in the judicial system. On the other hand, Yair Golan, head of The Democrats party, has criticized Netanyahu's request. He believes that a pardon should only be considered if Netanyahu admits guilt and steps down from politics. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has a different view. He thinks that pardoning Netanyahu could bring healing and unity to the divided nation.