Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s formal request for a presidential pardon in his ongoing corruption cases has triggered intense political debate across Israel. President Isaac Herzog now faces three complex options: rejecting the plea, granting unconditional pardon, or offering a conditional compromise. Israeli law requires an admission of guilt before a pardon can be granted, making approval uncertain. Analysts suggest Netanyahu’s move is politically calculated to shift public focus from controversial draft exemption laws. Opposition parties demand his resignation and admission of guilt, while his Likud allies push for clemency. Former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly urged Herzog to pardon Netanyahu, angering Israeli opposition groups. If approved, experts warn of mass protests potentially larger than the 2023 judicial reform demonstrations. Netanyahu faces three major corruption cases—known as Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000—alongside an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over alleged war crimes in Gaza, where tens of thousands of civilians have been killed since October 2023.