President Isaac Herzog of Israel is delaying a decision on whether to grant Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a pardon in his long-running corruption trial, opting instead to pursue mediation aimed at reaching a plea agreement. According to senior Israeli officials, Herzog believes there are alternatives to a simple yes-or-no decision and sees his role as fostering national unity during a deeply divisive period.

Netanyahu, who has been on trial for nearly six years on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, denies wrongdoing and has described the case as a political witch hunt. He formally requested a pre-emptive pardon last November, arguing that ending the trial would help ease national tensions and allow him to focus on governing. The request has intensified political divisions, with roughly half of Israelis opposing a pardon.

Legal experts and Israel's Justice Ministry have indicated that a pardon would generally require either a conviction or an admission of guilt and resignation from office. Netanyahu has shown no willingness to admit wrongdoing or step down. Herzog is now considering legal opinions while exploring informal talks between prosecutors and Netanyahu's legal team, hoping mediation could resolve the crisis without further inflaming the country's already tense political climate ahead of upcoming elections.