Dozens of people gathered this Sunday in front of the private residence of the israeli presidentIsaac Herzog, in Tel Aviv, to demonstrate contra the possibility of granting a pardon to the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahuas reported by several Israeli pro-democracy groups through their official channels.
“We have not forgotten the abandonment of October 7,” read one of the banners photographed and distributed by the Israeli Pro-Democracy Protest Movement.
During the protest, as the images show, a protester dressed as Netanyahu Wearing an orange jumpsuit, he pretended to ask for forgiveness from the president, represented by another assistant in a suit and tie, in a satirical performance that denounced the fear of a drift towards a “banana republic” in the country.
It was also this Sunday when Netanyahu sent formally a request for pardon to the president of Israel, Isaac Herzog, within the framework of the judicial process he faces for three cases of corruption, fraud, breach of trust and bribery, as confirmed by the presidential office in a statement.
“The Office of the President is aware that this is an extraordinary request that carries important implications. After receiving all relevant opinions, the president will consider the request with sincerity and responsibility,” said the note released by the Presidential House.
At the beginning of November, the former US president Donald Trump He sent a letter to Herzog asking him to forgive his Israeli counterpart, highlighting his role at the head of the Government. During his visit to Israel the previous month, he also expressed it before Parliament: “Why don’t they grant him a pardon?” he asked, “who cares about some cigars and champagne?”
Three open cases
The head of the Israeli Executive is prosecuted in the so-called ‘case 1,000’for allegedly accepting gifts from Hollywood entrepreneur Arnon Milchan in exchange for government favors, and in the ‘case 2000’accused of favoring Yedioth Ahronoth editor Arnon “Noni” Mozes in a media manipulation plot to affect his competitor Israel Hayom.
Furthermore, in his second stage in front of the Ministry of Communication (2015-2017), Netanyahu faces accusations of having benefited businessman Shaul Elovich, then owner of the Bezeq group and the portal Walla Newsin exchange for positive news coverage.
The Israeli leader, who claims to be a victim of a “witch hunt” perpetrated by the “deep state”, he became the first minister in the country’s history to be tried for corruption while remaining in office.