Netanyahu appeared in court after pleading for clemency, which was supported by Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in court in Tel Aviv on Monday for the first time since filing a request for a presidential pardon. Demonstrators in orange prison jumpsuits protested outside the court.

His request was backed by US President Donald Trump, who described the trial as politically motivated. Netanyahu has been facing corruption charges since 2019; the trial began in 2020.

The prime minister denies guilt and says the court should acquit him. His lawyers argue that frequent court hearings hinder the country's governance and say a pardon would benefit the state. In Israel, pardons are usually granted after conviction, not during the trial.

A section of the opposition calls for any pardon to be linked to a guilty plea or a departure from politics. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett supported ending the trial at the cost of Netanyahu's departure from politics.

Netanyahu's coalition would lose its majority in future elections, according to polls. Elections must be held no later than October 2026.

(reuters, sie)