Netanyahu Seeks Pardon from Israeli President on Corruption Charges with Trump's Strong Endorsement

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially petitioned President Isaac Herzog for a full pardon on multiple corruption indictments involving bribery, fraud, and breach of trust—allegations stemming from lavish gifts, media favors, and telecom deals that he dismisses as a "deep state" conspiracy—bolstered by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's public calls for clemency, labeling the cases a "disgrace" and urging swift action to keep strong leadership amid regional tensions; this high-stakes request, rare for ongoing trials, has divided Israel, with supporters viewing it as democratic preservation and critics decrying erosion of judicial independence, potentially averting government paralysis but risking a constitutional showdown.