US President Donald Trump wrote to Israeli President Isaac Herzog earlier this month, asking him to pardon Netanyahu, who has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in the ongoing court cases.
“The trial in my case has been ongoing for nearly six years, and is expected to continue for many more years,” Netanyahu said in a video statement.
He said he wanted to continue the process until acquittal, “but the security and political reality – the national interest – dictate otherwise. The State of Israel is facing enormous challenges,” he said.
“The continuation of the trial is tearing us apart from within, arousing fierce divisions, intensifying rifts.”
The cases against Netanyahu have exposed divisions in Israeli society between his supporters and opponents.
Netanyahu’s backers have dismissed the trials as politically motivated.
The premier and his wife Sara are accused in one case of accepting more than US$260,000 worth of luxury goods such as cigars, jewellery and champagne from billionaires in exchange for political favours.
He is also accused of attempting to negotiate more favourable coverage from two Israeli media outlets in two other cases.
Netanyahu said the demand for him to testify on a thrice-weekly basis had “tipped the scales.”
“Three times a week is an impossible requirement,” he said.
“I am certain, like many others in the nation, that an immediate end to the trial will greatly help to lower the flames and promote the broad reconciliation that our country so desperately needs.”
Herzog’s office confirmed it had received Netanyahu’s pardon request.
“This is an extraordinary request which carries with it significant implications. After receiving all of the relevant opinions, the president will responsibly and sincerely consider the request,” the head of state’s office said in a statement.
Netanyahu, 76, is Israel’s longest-serving premier, having spent more than 18 years in the post across three spells since 1996.
During his current term, which started in late 2022, Netanyahu proposed far-reaching judicial reforms that critics say sought to weaken the courts.
Those prompted massive protests that were only curtailed after the onset of the Gaza war in October 2023.
Likud leader Netanyahu has said he will stand in the next elections, due to be held before the end of 2026. (AFP)
