**Recent testimony by former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit in Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial has prompted Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana to urge President Isaac Herzog to grant a pardon, citing alleged investigative irregularities and lack of authorization for certain police actions.** Netanyahu’s pardon request, submitted in late 2025, remains under review by the Attorney General’s office and prosecutors, who have signaled resistance absent strong substantive grounds. Herzog has consistently prioritized mediation toward a plea deal or other arrangement requiring elements such as an admission of guilt or political withdrawal before considering clemency. Israeli elections scheduled for October 27, 2026, add political pressure, though institutional and legal hurdles continue to shape trader assessments of near-term resolution.