Israeli President Isaac Herzog has consistently prioritized mediation toward a plea agreement in Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial over granting a pre-conviction pardon, citing legal opinions that require an admission of guilt, resignation, or conviction before clemency can be considered. Netanyahu submitted a formal pardon request in November 2025, but Herzog’s office delayed action pending justice ministry review and invited plea talks that Netanyahu did not pursue, leading Herzog to freeze further consideration by spring 2026. The trial continued with testimony concluding in June, while coalition pressure for clemency has not altered the president’s stance on procedural norms. Trader consensus reflects these institutional barriers and the absence of any breakthrough before key resolution deadlines, though future shifts could still arise from new court rulings, coalition negotiations, or post-election developments.