Netanyahu asks for preemptive pardon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday asked President Isaac Herzog to pardon him from corruption allegations. The request is highly unusual since Netanyahu has not yet been convicted. President Herzog’s office stated today that the pardon request “is clearly provoking debate and is deeply unsettling for many people in the country, across different communities. I have already clarified that it will be handled in the most correct and precise manner. I will consider solely the best interests of the State of Israel and Israeli society.”