Netanyahu requests presidential pardon in corruption trial; doesn't admit guilt

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

63% : "Israel is facing enormous challenges, and alongside them great opportunities," he continued.
59% : "Granting this request will allow the prime minister to devote all of his time, abilities, and energy to advancing Israel in these critical times," wrote Hadad, "and to dealing with the challenges and opportunities that lie before it.
58% : In his video statement, Netanyahu said it was in Israel's national interest for the trial to end.
56% : "I have been elected time after time in democratic elections, and I have received your trust to continue serving as Israel's prime minister, first and foremost to fulfill these historic goals," he said.
54% : "I hereby call on you to fully pardon Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been a formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister," the US president wrote, "and is now leading Israel into a time of peace, which includes my continued work with key Middle East leaders to add many additional countries to the world changing Abraham Accords.
51% : The letter had suggested a pardon could help Netanyahu normalize Israel's relations with neighboring countries.
50% : He did not indicate any readiness to step down as prime minister, arguing that, if he were pardoned, he would be free to more effectively advance Israel's interests.
50% : Save for a roughly year-and-a-half-long period from mid-2021 to the end of 2022, Netanyahu has led Israel for all of it, and is the first sitting prime minister to go on trial.
48% : "President Trump called for an immediate end to the trial so that, together with him, I could advance even more vigorously the vital interests shared by Israel and the United States, within a time window that may never return," he said.
46% : " A request for a pardon is not an admission of guilt, and President Isaac Herzog can theoretically pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu even during the course of his trial, according to an analysis from the Israel Democracy Institute.
45% : He further argued that the trial was tearing Israel apart and that its immediate conclusion "would greatly help lower the flames and promote broad reconciliation.
45% : The Israel Democracy Institute think tank noted, in a recent "explainer" article, that "No law requires an admission of guilt as a condition for a pardon," but that the attorney general's office has long directed that handling pardon requests before conviction should occur "only in rare cases.
40% : Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that granting the pardon would "bring an end to the legal charges that were born in sin and have created a severe division that splits the nation.
37% : And this path begins with your resignation and leaving public life in Israel," Golan said, addressing Netanyahu and accusing him of being "afraid of the truth." "The only possible deal is for you to take responsibility, admit guilt, and give the country leave to breathe and recover," he added.

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