Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel on Tuesday became the first coalition member to publicly oppose the notion of a presidential pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which he formally requested from President Isaac Herzog on Sunday.

“Is it right to give a pardon in the situation we are in? I don’t think so,” Haskel told Jerusalem Radio.

Unlike members of the opposition, Haskel did not cite legal arguments or the need to see the trial through to its conclusion for accountability and the supremacy of the rule of law. Rather, she said she believed the pardon request was a “media trick” from the premier’s camp, aimed at trying to divert attention from the important things.”

She then clarified that she was referencing controversial legislative efforts to formalize widespread draft exemptions from military enlistment for the ultra-Orthodox, which have drawn opposition from multiple coalition and cabinet members, including Haskel.

Haskel said the Haredi draft bill “could endanger Israel’s security.”

“I also don’t think Netanyahu wants the pardon,” she asserted, claiming that the media and opposition, “like sheep,” were “making this a headline issue instead of talking about the thing that is going to determine the state’s future — which is the enlistment law.”

Both subjects have made top headlines in recent days.

Netanyahu’s bombshell request marks a new phase in his legal battle, which began over five years ago and has continued through the pandemic, elections, war and protests.

Netanyahu is charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate cases. The charges relate to........

© The Times of Israel