President Isaac Herzog has sent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pardon request back to the Justice Ministry for further review, requesting additional clarification as the unprecedented process unfolds.

According to Herzog’s office, the president’s legal adviser, Michal Tzuk, asked for “additional supplementary materials” from the Justice Ministry’s Pardons Department as part of the ongoing evaluation.

“The President’s Residence requested supplementary materials from the department regarding precedents in the exercise of the pardon authority prior to the conclusion of criminal proceedings, including in cases involving diplomatic gestures or hostage-release deals,” the statement said.

“Despite the clear differences between the cases, the requested additions relate to the very exercise of the pardon authority during an ongoing legal process,” the statement continued, stressing that the move “should not be taken to indicate any position whatsoever regarding the request.”

Officials emphasized that the request is part of a professional review process before any recommendation is made to Herzog.

“Following receipt of the requested responses, handling of the request will continue in accordance with established procedures,” the statement added.

The development comes after the Justice Ministry’s Pardons Department completed a legal position paper earlier this month, reportedly raising serious concerns about the request. The department described the move as highly problematic and largely unprecedented, citing Netanyahu’s ongoing trial, the absence of a conviction, and no admission of guilt or remorse.

It further warned that granting such a pardon could undermine the principle of equality before the law, noting that the request leans heavily on arguments tied to diplomacy and national security — areas the department said fall outside its scope to evaluate.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)