formally

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked President Isaac Herzog for a pardon on Thursday in his long-running corruption trial, saying criminal proceedings were hampering his ability to govern and that a pardon would be in Israel’s national interest. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, has denied charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust and said in a video released by his Likud party that he still expects a full acquittal. “My lawyers sent a request for pardon to the president of the country…