Netanyahu formally asks for pardon from Israeli president

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog over his ongoing corruption charges.

In the request, Netanyahu argues that it would be in the "public interest" for him to be pardoned, as he says it would reduce tension in Israeli society.

"Out of a public responsibility as prime minister to try to bring about reconciliation between the parts of the people, I have no doubt that the end of the trial will help to reduce the intensity of the flames in the debate that has arisen around it," he wrote.

"Faced with the security challenges and political opportunities currently facing the State of Israel, I am committed to doing everything in my power to heal the rifts, achieve unity among the people, and restore trust in the state's systems, and I expect all heads of state agencies to do the same."

Netanyahu faces charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust, to which he has entered a plea of "not guilty".

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