00:00Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked President Isaac
00:06Herzog for a pardon amid his years-long corruption trial. The presidency called
00:11the request extraordinary and said it had significant implications but said
00:15that it would responsibly and sincerely consider it. Netanyahu has repeatedly
00:21denied any wrongdoing but says the trial has divided the country and claims the
00:26pardon would help unify Israel. However, the opposition has criticized the
00:31request and says it would undermine the rule of law. Netanyahu is charged with
00:36fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases. He has not
00:41been convicted of any crime. The request comes just weeks after US President
00:47Donald Trump similarly requested Herzog to pardon Netanyahu. Mr. President, why don't
00:53you give him a pardon? The US leader had called the charges unjustified and called
00:57the case against Netanyahu a witch hunt.
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