Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked Israel’s president to grant him a pardon during his long-running corruption trial.
In a statement on Sunday the prime minister’s office confirmed that Netanyahu had submitted a request for a pardon to the legal department of the Office of the President.
The president’s office called it an “extraordinary request,” carrying with it “significant implications.”
Netanyahu is the only sitting prime minister in Israeli history to stand trial, after being charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases accusing him of exchanging favors with wealthy political supporters.
He has not yet been convicted of anything.
The request comes weeks after US President Donald Trump urged Israel to pardon Netanyahu.
In a video statement, Netanyahu said the trial has divided the country and that a pardon would help restore national unity.
He also said the requirement that he appear in court three times a week is a distraction that makes it difficult for him to lead the country.
Netanyahu’s request consisted of two documents: a detailed letter signed by his lawyer and a letter signed by Netanyahu.
The documents will be sent to the justice ministry for opinions and will then be transferred to the Legal Advisor in the Office of the President, which will formulate additional opinions for the president.
It comes amid a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, with Israel’s military launching airstrikes on the strip last weekend, killing 24 people.
The ceasefire came into place on October 10.
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