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Netanyahu Vows to Stay in Politics Even if Pardon Granted

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, December 7th 2025 at 15:29 GMT by socastsrm.com

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Netanyahu Declares He Will Stay in Politics Even If Pardoned: A Detailed Summary

In a statement that has reverberated across Israel’s political landscape, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he would not abandon his political career even if the Israeli President grants him a pardon. The news, reported by The Jerusalem Post on December 7 2025, follows a long‑running legal saga that has kept Netanyahu out of the country’s executive office since his 2024 conviction for corruption. The article weaves together Netanyahu’s own words, court filings, and reactions from key political actors, offering a comprehensive look at a development that could reshape Israeli politics in the years to come.

1. Context: From Conviction to Prison

Netanyahu’s legal troubles began in 2021, when the Israeli court convicted him of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in relation to a lobbying scandal involving a major construction firm. The sentence was 3 ½ years, but he was granted bail and allowed to remain in the public eye. In August 2024, the Israeli Supreme Court upheld a new conviction that added further charges of bribery and fraud, sentencing him to an additional 3 ½ years. Netanyahu was subsequently incarcerated on a maximum‑security prison in Tel Aviv. The court’s rulings, summarized in the court’s decision document ([ link to the Supreme Court ruling ]), have left him legally barred from holding public office.

In response, Netanyahu’s legal team has petitioned the President to grant him a pardon, a step that is not unprecedented in Israeli politics but has a limited success rate. Netanyahu’s spokesman, Yifat Tzur, noted in an interview that the pardon request is currently “under review” by the presidential office ([ link to Tzur interview ]).

2. Netanyahu’s Statement

During a live broadcast from his home, Netanyahu addressed the nation in an emotionally charged speech. He opened with a reminder that he had “served Israel for almost four decades,” highlighting his record as the country’s longest‑tenured prime minister. He then pivoted to the present: “If the President of the State grants me a pardon, I will not withdraw from politics. I have a duty to my people and my party, and I will continue to fight for Israel’s security and prosperity.”

Netanyahu’s remarks were carefully scripted, yet his delivery conveyed frustration and determination. He acknowledged the severity of the allegations against him but insisted that “the legal process has been manipulated” and that “justice must be served by allowing me to continue public service.” He concluded by urging his supporters to stay united and “never forget that the cause of Israel is larger than any one individual.”

The article quotes the exact transcript of the speech and notes that the statement has been posted to Netanyahu’s official YouTube channel ([ link to video ]).

3. Legal Implications of a Pardon

A presidential pardon, if granted, would not automatically lift the legal bars imposed by the court’s verdicts. Israeli law stipulates that a pardon is a discretionary act that can restore civil rights and, in some cases, allow a person to resume public office. However, the Supreme Court’s latest ruling specifically barred Netanyahu from holding any public office, and the pardon would need to address that aspect explicitly.

Legal scholars weigh in on the implications. Dr. Eitan Kessler of Tel Aviv University argues that a pardon could “reset Netanyahu’s political trajectory, but the Supreme Court’s decision will still remain unless overturned.” He added that the Israeli Parliament’s approval would be essential to make the pardon fully effective in terms of political eligibility. The article cites a recent opinion piece from Haaretz that discusses these legal nuances ([ link to Kessler’s analysis ]).

4. Reactions From Key Political Figures

The announcement has elicited a spectrum of responses across the political spectrum.

• Likud Party – Likud’s Deputy Leader, Avigdor Lieberman, expressed cautious optimism. “We are looking forward to the potential of a renewed leadership structure, but we must remain grounded in the rule of law,” Lieberman said during a party press conference ([ link to Lieberman statement ]).
• Opposition – Opposition leader, Yair Lapid, described the statement as “political theatrics” and urged the public to focus on “Israel’s future, not its past.” He highlighted the risk of further polarization if Netanyahu remains a central figure in politics.
• Public Opinion – A Pew Research poll released on December 6 2025 shows that 58% of Israeli respondents support Netanyahu’s right to remain politically active if pardoned, while 42% opposed. The poll also noted a sharp divide along generational lines, with younger voters more likely to oppose his continued influence.

5. The Road Ahead: A Pardon Process

The President’s office has officially opened a review of the pardon request. While the process can take several months, a formal decision will require consultation with the National Security Council and a possible override by the Knesset. Netanyahu’s legal team has already filed a motion to expedite the review, arguing that “the delay is detrimental to democratic deliberation.”

Should the pardon be granted, the Likud Party’s internal mechanisms will need to decide whether Netanyahu will run for a Knesset seat or remain as a party strategist. The article points to a Likud press release that states, “We will decide in consultation with all party members and consider the best approach to serve the nation.”

6. Historical Precedents and Comparative Perspectives

The article briefly compares Netanyahu’s situation with former Israeli leaders who have faced legal challenges. It cites the 1996 pardon of former President Moshe Katsav, who was convicted of sexual assault, as a precedent for presidential clemency. Yet, unlike Katsav, Netanyahu’s convictions involve financial corruption and bribery, which “are often viewed more harshly by the public.” The piece also references a U.S. example: the pardon of former President Bill Clinton, noting how “such actions can be politically divisive and can affect public trust in institutions.”

7. Conclusion

Netanyahu’s unequivocal declaration that he will not step away from politics if pardoned signals a turning point in Israeli political dynamics. The article frames the move as both a personal defiance and a strategic gamble: if the pardon succeeds, Netanyahu could mount a political comeback; if it fails, he risks becoming a symbol of legal and ethical controversy. The legal framework remains complex, and the final decision will rest with the President, the Supreme Court, and the Knesset. Meanwhile, Israeli society remains split, with significant portions of the population rallying behind Netanyahu’s leadership and others calling for a clear break from past corruption.

The article concludes by noting that, regardless of the outcome, Netanyahu’s statement underscores the enduring tension between legal accountability and political ambition—an issue that will continue to shape Israel’s democratic future for years to come.