Benjamin Netanyahu · criminal prosecution · public corruption · clemency · media regulation
What is the status of Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial and his pardon request?
The trial is still under way with no verdict. Netanyahu was indicted on 28 January 2020 in the Jerusalem District Court for bribery in Case 4000 and fraud and breach of trust in Cases 1000, 2000 and 4000, and he pleaded not guilty. The prosecution's cross-examination of him ended in June 2026, the defence case continues, and since 4 October 2026 the court has sat five days a week. On 29 June 2026 the judges repeated their 2023 suggestion that the prosecution consider dropping the bribery charge, which the prosecution had declined in 2023. He asked President Isaac Herzog for a pardon on 30 November 2025 without admitting guilt, and as of 12 October 2026 Herzog had not decided and was pressing for a plea agreement.
Last verified 30 October 2026. Israel
The record at a glance
| What was alleged? | Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit charged that in Case 1000 Netanyahu received gifts such as cigars and champagne from Arnon Milchan and James Packer, in Case 2000 discussed with publisher Arnon Mozes limiting a rival paper in return for favourable coverage, and in Case 4000 advanced regulatory steps benefiting Shaul Elovitch's interests in return for favourable coverage on the Walla news site.1,2 |
|---|---|
| Who made the claim? | Attorney General of Israel, 21 November 2019 |
| How did Benjamin Netanyahu respond? | Netanyahu denies wrongdoing and calls the case a witch hunt. When the indictment was announced he called it an attempted coup, according to The Forward. His lawyers entered a written plea of not guilty on 8 February 2021. In his pardon request he did not admit guilt and continued to contest the charges and the process, saying the national interest required a pardon.1,3,4 (the subject's position) |
| Was there an official finding? | Netanyahu has been on trial since 2020 on an indictment for bribery, fraud and breach of trust, and he has pleaded not guilty.3,5 The prosecution's cross-examination of Netanyahu concluded in June 2026.10,11 He requested a presidential pardon on 30 November 2025 and the request had not been decided as of the latest reports reviewed.4,7,12 |
| Was liability determined? | Not yet. Proceedings are pending. Indicted and on trial. No verdict. The judges' suggestions on the bribery charge are not rulings and the charge remains in the indictment.5,8 |
| What changed later? | As of 30 October 2026 Netanyahu's trial continues in the Jerusalem District Court with no verdict and hearings five days a week, the bribery charge remains in the indictment, and his pardon request to President Herzog is undecided.8,9,10,12 |
| When was this checked? | 30 October 2026 |
What was alleged?
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit charged that in Case 1000 Netanyahu received gifts such as cigars and champagne from Arnon Milchan and James Packer, in Case 2000 discussed with publisher Arnon Mozes limiting a rival paper in return for favourable coverage, and in Case 4000 advanced regulatory steps benefiting Shaul Elovitch's interests in return for favourable coverage on the Walla news site.1,2
Made by Attorney General of Israel on 21 November 2019.
What did Benjamin Netanyahu say?
Netanyahu denies wrongdoing and calls the case a witch hunt. When the indictment was announced he called it an attempted coup, according to The Forward. His lawyers entered a written plea of not guilty on 8 February 2021. In his pardon request he did not admit guilt and continued to contest the charges and the process, saying the national interest required a pardon.1,3,4
"the security reality and Israel's national interest require"
Benjamin Netanyahu, video statement on the pardon request (as reported by The Irish Times), 30 November 2025. This is the subject's own account, not a finding.
What do independent records show?
Indictment (as reported by Al Jazeera)
Attorney General of Israel, filed at the Jerusalem District Court, 28 January 2020
The indictment charging bribery, fraud and breach of trust was filed after Netanyahu withdrew his request to the Knesset for immunity.5
Written plea (as reported by AP via PBS)
Jerusalem District Court, 8 February 2021
Netanyahu's lawyers submitted a written response pleading not guilty.3
Written record of the judges' remarks (as reported by The Times of Israel)
Jerusalem District Court (three-judge panel), 29 June 2023
The judges told the parties there were difficulties in establishing the bribery offence in the first charge and suggested the state consider withdrawing it. The prosecution declined.6
Receipt of pardon request (as reported by The Irish Times)
President of the State of Israel, 30 November 2025
The President's Office said Herzog would receive legal opinions before considering what it called an extraordinary request.4
Statement on the pardon request (as reported by Reuters via Arab News)
President of the State of Israel, 26 April 2026
Herzog said efforts should first be exhausted to reach an agreement between the parties outside the courtroom before he decides on the request.7
Judges' remarks after Netanyahu's testimony (as reported by Ynetnews)
Jerusalem District Court, 29 June 2026
After the cross-examination ended, the panel said its 2023 position stood, that there were difficulties in proving the bribery offence in Case 4000 and that the prosecution should consider withdrawing it. The remarks were a recommendation, not a ruling, and the charge remains. The Attorney General and State Attorney had refused the 2023 suggestion.8
Expanded hearing schedule (as reported by The Jerusalem Post)
Jerusalem District Court, 4 October 2026
Hearings began running five days a week, over objections from both the prosecution and the defence, to complete the evidence before the presiding judge's expected retirement in March 2028.9,10
What was established?
- Netanyahu has been on trial since 2020 on an indictment for bribery, fraud and breach of trust, and he has pleaded not guilty.3,5
- The prosecution's cross-examination of Netanyahu concluded in June 2026.10,11
- He requested a presidential pardon on 30 November 2025 and the request had not been decided as of the latest reports reviewed.4,7,12
Distinctions that matter here
- An indictment is a formal accusation, not a finding of guilt.
- A pardon request does not end the trial. Netanyahu did not admit guilt in his request.
- Judges' informal suggestions to the prosecution are not acquittals and do not remove a charge.
Was liability determined?
Not yet. Proceedings are pending. Indicted and on trial. No verdict. The judges' suggestions on the bribery charge are not rulings and the charge remains in the indictment.5,8
What remains unresolved?
- The outcome of the remaining defence case, closing arguments and the verdict of the three-judge panel.
- Whether a plea agreement is reached through the mediation Herzog proposed.
- Whether Herzog grants or refuses the pardon request, for which there is no precedent mid-trial.
- Whether the 27 October 2026 general election and the formation of a new government affect the trial schedule or the pardon request was not established in the sources reviewed.
What is the current status?
As of 30 October 2026 Netanyahu's trial continues in the Jerusalem District Court with no verdict and hearings five days a week, the bribery charge remains in the indictment, and his pardon request to President Herzog is undecided.8,9,10,12
As of 30 October 2026. No next proceeding is scheduled in the records we found.
Timeline
- Attorney General announces intention to indict, subject to a hearing.2
- Attorney General announces the indictment in Cases 1000, 2000 and 4000.1
- Indictment filed in court after Netanyahu withdraws his immunity request.5
- Trial opens in the Jerusalem District Court.3,13
- Netanyahu pleads not guilty in writing.3
- Judges suggest the prosecution consider dropping the bribery charge.6
- Netanyahu submits a pardon request to President Herzog.4
- Herzog says a deal between the parties should be sought before he decides.7
- Prosecution concludes cross-examination of Netanyahu.11
- Judges repeat their suggestion that the prosecution consider dropping the bribery charge.8
- Trial moves to a five-day-a-week hearing schedule.9
- Herzog says the trial should end with a plea agreement and that Netanyahu has not responded to his mediation proposal.12
Sources
- The Forward, Netanyahu charged with bribery, fraud, breach of trust, 21 November 2019 Independent reporting
- Globes, Netanyahu faces indictment, 28 February 2019 Independent reporting
- PBS NewsHour, Israeli prime minister pleads not guilty as corruption trial resumes (Associated Press), 8 February 2021 Independent reporting
- The Irish Times, Binyamin Netanyahu submits request to Israel's president for pardon in corruption trial, 30 November 2025 Independent reporting
- Al Jazeera, Netanyahu formally indicted in court on corruption charges, 28 January 2020 Independent reporting
- The Times of Israel, Judges in Netanyahu trial confirm suggesting prosecution drop bribery charge, 29 June 2023 Independent reporting
- Arab News (Reuters), Israel's president says he wants a deal reached in Netanyahu case before pardon decision, 26 April 2026 Independent reporting
- Ynetnews, Why judges want Netanyahu's bribery charge dropped in trial, 29 June 2026 Independent reporting
- The Jerusalem Post, Netanyahu trial enters five-day-a-week schedule as defense case accelerates, 4 October 2026 Independent reporting
- The Jerusalem Post, Netanyahu to oppose expansion of criminal trial hearing days to five-days-a-week, 28 June 2026 Independent reporting
- JNS, Israeli prosecutors conclude final cross-examination in Netanyahu corruption trial, 16 June 2026 Independent reporting
- Ynetnews, Herzog: I'll do everything I can to prevent repeat elections, 12 October 2026 Independent reporting
- Al Jazeera, Netanyahu to become 1st serving Israel PM facing criminal charges, 24 May 2020 Independent reporting
Revision history
- 30 October 2026: First published after source verification.
Related: Benjamin Netanyahu, criminal prosecution, public corruption, clemency, media regulation, Israel. To submit a document or request a correction, see right of reply.