Herzog’s office denies report he proposed Netanyahu pardon in exchange for retirement after two more years in power

Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s office has strongly denied a Channel 14 report claiming he is promoting a deal under which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would remain in office for two more years, then retire from politics in exchange for a full pardon in his corruption trial.

Channel 14 reported that Herzog had been considering such an arrangement for nearly two years and could seek to advance it as Israel struggles to form a government after Tuesday’s inconclusive election.

Under the reported proposal, Netanyahu would serve first in a rotation government before handing power to opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot. He would then leave political life and receive a presidential pardon.

Herzog’s office rejected the report outright.

“It never happened,” the president’s office said, calling the report “a complete lie” and adding that Herzog does not engage in speculation over the process of assigning the mandate to form a government.

The office said official election results will only be presented to Herzog next week, after which he will begin consultations with parliamentary factions before deciding which lawmaker should receive the first opportunity to form a coalition.

The report emerged as neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor Eisenkot’s opposition has secured the 61 seats needed for a majority, increasing speculation over a possible unity government.

Netanyahu is currently on trial on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, which he denies.