Israeli President Isaac Herzog has repeatedly signaled reluctance to grant a pardon before exhausting plea deal negotiations in Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial, directing the request through standard Justice Ministry review that produced a non-recommendation in March 2026. The Pardons Department cited procedural and substantive barriers, including the absence of a conviction, admission of guilt, or resignation. Herzog’s April statements prioritizing mediation between the attorney general and defense have delayed any decision, with no subsequent announcements of progress or reversal despite external pressure. With the June 30 resolution date approaching and the trial testimony phase still active, the compressed timeline and institutional preference for negotiated outcomes underpin trader consensus against an imminent pardon.