Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested President Isaac Herzog, in an unprecedented step in the history of Israel’s legal and political course.
Herzog’s office confirmed late on Sunday that it had received an “extraordinary request” and would review it after collecting all important and legal, and political opinions on the matter. Netanyahu, who is facing charges of corruption for over-awarding contracts to people in return for favours, will now be under the Israeli Supreme Court’s radar, where he pleaded not guilty during hearings.
Critics have argued that this very threat of conviction was one reason that he sought to continue fighting the war in Gaza despite facing international backlash, which has severed the relations of the country with almost all major powers in the world. Netanyahu, who denies wrongdoing, has filed the request in the “national interest” because the long-running proceedings were dividing the country.
Meanwhile, in successive surveys throughout 2025, his approval ratings have tanked, with the majority of polls showing a continuous fall. He is facing three corruption charges under which prosecutors accuse him and his wife, Sara, of receiving bribes in the form of gifts worth more than $260,000 (roughly €225,000) in exchange for political favours.
In two other cases, Netanyahu is alleged to have sought favourable media coverage. He rejects all the allegations. He also tried to overhaul the Israeli constitutional arrangements to suppress the legal authority and status of the Supreme Court through a Knesset amendment. But he failed after the Israeli opposition voted against it.
