“COMPLETELY FAKE”: Herzog’s Office Denies Report Of Netanyahu Rotation Deal Involving Retirement And Pardon ​

Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s office has strongly rejected a report claiming that a proposed political agreement would allow Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to serve another two years in office in exchange for retiring from politics and receiving a presidential pardon. In a firm response, the President’s Office described the report as “completely fake” and insisted that no such proposal exists. The alleged arrangement would have linked Netanyahu’s political future to a potential resolution of his legal troubles, making the claim particularly significant amid Israel’s ongoing political tensions. However, Herzog’s office has denied the existence of the reported deal, and the allegation should not be treated as an established agreement. The denial comes as attention turns to the process of forming Israel’s next government and the political negotiations expected to follow the election.

Herzog’s office also clarified the next steps in the government-formation process, stating that the official election results would be submitted to the president the following Wednesday. After receiving the results, Herzog is expected to consult with representatives of the political parties before deciding whom to task with forming a government. Those consultations are an important part of Israel’s parliamentary system, in which coalition negotiations can determine who ultimately secures the support needed to govern. The president’s statement makes clear that the formal process remains ahead, rather than being governed by the alleged rotation arrangement. Whether Netanyahu remains prime minister will depend on the election outcome and the subsequent political process, while any question of a presidential pardon remains a separate matter.