Story perspectives

Jerusalem Judges Urge Dropping Bribery Charge; President Rejects Pardon

7/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Jerusalem judges reiterated a recommendation to drop the bribery count in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial.
Both the three-judge panel and Justice Minister Yariv Levin urged dropping the bribery charge and called the allegation ‘trumped up’ while pressing for a pardon despite the Pardons Department’s warning.
President Isaac Herzog rejected the pardon request, suggested a plea deal, and noted a Zman Yisrael poll showing most Israelis oppose a pardon.

History

Historical Context

When former premier Ehud Olmert was convicted in 2014 of taking NIS 560,000 in bribes during the Holyland affair and sentenced to up to eight years, Israel saw its first high-level corruption verdict. Today, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces similar bribery accusations from the 2019 Case 4000 probe, while President Isaac Herzog is weighing a pardon request, echoing Olmert’s legacy.

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Story summary

Jerusalem judges reiterated a recommendation to drop the bribery count in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial.
Both the three-judge panel and Justice Minister Yariv Levin urged dropping the bribery charge and called the allegation ‘trumped up’ while pressing for a pardon despite the Pardons Department’s warning.
President Isaac Herzog rejected the pardon request, suggested a plea deal, and noted a Zman Yisrael poll showing most Israelis oppose a pardon.

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