Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu has decided not to take part in discussions at the President’s Residence aimed at reaching a plea agreement, according to a report broadcast Wednesday night on Channel 12, following a prolonged internal debate over how to respond to President Isaac Herzog’s proposal.

The report stated that Netanyahu did not respond to Herzog’s initiative for ten days, during which a deep divide emerged between his legal team, who supported entering talks, and his family members and close advisers, whose position ultimately led to the decision to reject the offer.

Senior officials close to Netanyahu sharply criticized the president’s initiative, calling it “a spin” and “complete nonsense.” They described it as “a staged production meant to drag out time and avoid dealing with the pardon request,” adding that Netanyahu is close to making a final decision to reject the proposal and instead continue pressing Herzog on the issue of a pardon.

Netanyahu’s decision stands in contrast to the view of his attorneys, who believe that participating in discussions at the President’s Residence would be in his legal interest. Despite their position, the stance of his inner circle appears to have prevailed in favor of rejecting negotiations toward a plea deal.

Earlier in the day, Herzog addressed the matter at the President’s Conference for a Shared Israeli Future, referring to the pardon request as “an elephant in the room.” “I am touching on very painful issues, an issue that is a kind of elephant in the room,” he said. “The issue of a pardon for the prime minister or a request for a pardon. Why do I call for dialogue and explanation, for talks toward an arrangement? Because I truly believe that in these heavy issues that burn at the heart of Israeli society and divide it, the right path, as much as possible, is to reach understandings and agreements. I believe in this.”

Herzog added that he expects both sides to be willing to engage in discussions. “In this case as well, it is difficult for everyone. The moment one side said it is willing to come into the room, I expect the other side to come into the room as well.”

{Matzav.com}