A recommendation from the Israeli government supporting a pardon for Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is expected to be submitted to President Yitzchok Herzog in the coming days, according to a report by Kan News.

The report said that Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu also plans to submit a separate recommendation to the president regarding a pardon for Netanyahu sometime next week.

Eliyahu is permitted to present his recommendation independently of the conclusions reached by the Justice Ministry’s clemency department, and he has done so in the past. After the recommendations are submitted, the matter will be reviewed by the legal advisers at the President’s Residence, who may suggest that Netanyahu revise his request for clemency before Herzog makes a final decision. The president is expected to rule on the issue in the coming weeks.

The developments come against the backdrop of a recent public dispute involving President Donald Trump and Herzog.

Last week, Trump criticized Herzog and said he was “a disgrace,” claiming that the Israeli president had promised him five times over the past year that he would grant Netanyahu a pardon.

Earlier this week, Netanyahu delivered a recorded address in which he refrained from condemning Trump’s remarks. Responding to a question from Kan 11, Netanyahu said: “Herzog should do the right thing and not give in to pressures from home or abroad. He should put an end to this absurd circus.”

Herzog addressed the issue yesterday during a visit to the village of Zarzir, which had been struck by an Iranian missile. The president said he had expected Netanyahu to publicly condemn Trump’s comments.

“I am not seeking my own honor, but the honor of the state. I am the president of the sovereign and independent State of Israel, and under these circumstances one must distinguish between long-standing political and legal disagreements — and blatant harm to the symbols of government and the sovereignty of the state. A statement on this matter was expected.”44

{Matzav.com}