Netanyahu Plea Deal Talks Back on the Table as Herzog Plays Mediator

by | May 4, 2026 | News

Israel’s attorney general has agreed to enter plea bargain negotiations in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial, responding to a mediation offer from President Isaac Herzog. The prosecution confirmed it would negotiate “without preconditions” and without pausing the trial’s progress — a notable shift from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara’s 2023 refusal to engage in any such discussions.

Herzog last week invited both sides to hash out an arrangement at the President’s Residence, calling a deal in the national interest. Netanyahu’s legal team had until May 3 to respond but has yet to do so.

The move comes after Herzog declined to grant Netanyahu a pardon — despite intense pressure from US President Donald Trump, who publicly called Herzog “weak and pathetic” for not acting immediately. The Justice Ministry’s Pardons Department had advised against the pardon, noting that Netanyahu has not admitted guilt and his trial remains ongoing.

Netanyahu, the first sitting Israeli prime minister to stand trial, faces charges of trading political favors for financial benefits and favorable press coverage. He has consistently denied wrongdoing and called the proceedings a politically motivated witch hunt. A key sticking point in previous plea discussions has been Netanyahu’s reported unwillingness to accept a “moral turpitude” finding, which would bar him from public office for seven years.

His court appearance scheduled for Monday was canceled following an overnight request from his attorney, continuing a pattern of frequent delays. Netanyahu had only recently resumed testimony after a two-month pause due to the Iran war.

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