The legal advisor to the President's Office, Yitzhak Herzog, returned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's pardon request to the Pardons Department at the Ministry of Justice for "additional additions" that, she claims, are required in the request.
The information concerns, according to the Attorney General for the President's Office, "precedentes in exercising the power of pardon before the criminal proceedings have ended.".
The President's Office stated: "Following the examination of the pardon request in the case of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this morning the President's Office's legal advisor, Attorney Michal Tzuk, contacted the Pardons Department at the Ministry of Justice with a request for additional completions.
""The President's Office wishes to emphasize its great appreciation for the professional and thorough work of the Pardons Department, both in relation to the opinion that was delivered and its central role in the process of exercising the pardon authority.".
""The President's Office requested clarifications from the Department regarding precedents in exercising the pardon authority before the criminal proceedings have concluded, including in cases of political gestures or deals to release hostages. Despite the clear gaps between the cases, the clarifications concern the actual exercise of the pardon authority during a legal proceeding.
""In addition, completions were requested regarding the gaps between the opinions submitted. The President's Office also forwarded the public inquiries received on the subject to the Pardons Department, in order to analyze the inquiries.".
""The request was made as part of completing the professional examination prior to formulating a recommendation to President Yitzhak Herzog, and does not indicate any position regarding the request.".
""After receiving the requested response, the request will continue to be processed in accordance with the procedures.".
Sources close to Minister Amichai Eliyahu told media person Yinon Magal about the President's announcement: "Minister Eliyahu already asked the Pardons Department for clarification on the issue when he wrote his opinion, and in response they gave a long answer that is legally untenable."
""He will receive the same answer, because they fail to admit that there is no impediment to granting a pardon.".
Avishai Greenzig, the legal commentator for Channel I24, tweeted on his X account: "I will reiterate my assessment - Herzog will not grant Netanyahu a pardon, at least in the current round and based on the current request. Netanyahu requested the pardon at the end of November. We are already at the end of March and the elections are approaching in leaps and bounds.
""I don't believe Herzog will grant Netanyahu a pardon just before the elections, based on the current request that does not demand anything from Netanyahu: no confession, no resignation, no retirement, etc.
""And now Herzog is turning to the Pardons Department, asking the Justice Ministry for more improvements, as the hourglass toward the elections continues to advance.".
Commentator Amit Segal responded to the President's request: "The President says in simple Hebrew to the Pardons Department: I greatly appreciate your position that it is not appropriate to grant a pardon, but what I really need to know is whether it is possible.".
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