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Herzog Seeks Netanyahu Plea Deal, Rejects Immediate Pardon

4/30/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Isaac Herzog invited Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and Netanyahu’s lawyer Amit Hadad to negotiate a plea bargain.
Herzog said he will not grant a pardon now, will seek a settlement by May 3, warning a pardon would be impossible because Netanyahu has not been convicted, admitted guilt, or shown remorse.
Herzog said any decision must follow Israeli law and not be swayed by President Donald Trump’s urging of a pardon.

History

Historical Context

After Watergate forced President Richard Nixon’s resignation on August 9 1974, Gerald Ford assumed office and, on September 8, issued a full pardon, citing national healing. The move ended pending criminal cases but drove his Gallup approval from 71 % to 50 %, a 21-point plunge, and led Ford to testify before Congress—the first sitting president to do so since Lincoln.

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Story summary

Isaac Herzog invited Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and Netanyahu’s lawyer Amit Hadad to negotiate a plea bargain.
Herzog said he will not grant a pardon now, will seek a settlement by May 3, warning a pardon would be impossible because Netanyahu has not been convicted, admitted guilt, or shown remorse.
Herzog said any decision must follow Israeli law and not be swayed by President Donald Trump’s urging of a pardon.

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