Law Professor Says Netanyahu’s Pardon Request Is ‘Political Ploy’ With No Legal Basis

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — In an interview on the Kan Moreshet channel with Mendy Gruzman, Professor Aviad Hacohen, President of the Shaarei Mada u’Mishpat Academic Center, addressed Prime Minister Netanyahu’s request for a presidential pardon and the new draft law.

Regarding the legal aspect, he said: “At the moment, there is no chance that this request will be accepted, because this is not a real pardon request. A pardon is granted only to someone defined as an offender, and anyone seeking a pardon must admit to the actions for which an indictment was filed. In Netanyahu’s case, these conditions are not being fulfilled.”

Hacohen explained the nature of a pardon: “A pardon is an exceptional procedure outside the court system, used mainly in rare cases in which a person admits to the offenses and the goal is to shorten the trial or reduce punishment. Here, those conditions do not exist, and therefore the chances of a pardon being granted are very low.”

Regarding Netanyahu’s tactical move, Hacohen noted: “This is mainly a move to shift the ball into the president’s court and to create a public impression that he explored every possible option. It is possible that there is also an attempt to reach a partial plea bargain, but that depends on the goodwill of the prosecution.”

As for the new draft law, Hacohen said: “The law contains legal difficulties, especially regarding equality in burden-sharing and in implementing its provisions. The delays and mixed sanctions reduce the likelihood that the law will withstand judicial scrutiny, but everything could change depending on how it is implemented.”

In conclusion, Hacohen emphasized: “Despite the claims that Netanyahu’s cases are collapsing, many of them remain strong, particularly the factual cases such as the gifts affair. The pardon request appears more like a tactical and political maneuver than a legally significant move.”