"Netanyahu has always said he's innocent, and now he says the court is taking too much of his time. He is being asked to testify in court three days a week. And now after two years of war, he says he has security and diplomatic moves that he wants to pursue with President Trump. He is not asking for a usual kind of pardon."
"He's asking to cancel his trial before a verdict is issued without professing remorse, without offering to step down from public office. And his other argument here is that canceling the trial would unify Israelis. In fact, this whole question of a pardon is polarizing Israelis now. And analysts here think that Netanyahu is doing this to help win reelection."
Benjamin Netanyahu requested a presidential pardon to end his nearly six-year corruption trial. He faces charges of bribery and related offenses, accused of granting favors to media moguls in exchange for champagne, cigars and favorable press. Netanyahu contends the court proceedings consume too much of his time and that frequent testimony obligations hinder security and diplomatic work he plans with President Trump. He seeks cancellation of the trial before a verdict without professing remorse or resigning from office. President Trump sent a letter urging a pardon. The pardon proposal polarizes Israelis and may galvanize Netanyahu's right-wing base ahead of upcoming elections.
Read at www.npr.org
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