Since taking office in 2021, President Isaac Herzog has emphasized raising the transparency of the President’s Office, and actively exercising the president’s legal authority to grant pardons. These commitments are reflected in official data released today (Tuesday), which shows a significant rise in the number of pardons granted over the past year.
Pardon Requests and Outcomes
Each month, the President receives hundreds of pardon requests from prisoners and their legal representatives, which include both new and old cases. Over the past year, 2,000 new requests were filed; a 23% increase compared to the previous year. Most of these requests were aimed at shortening the length of criminal record registration rather than seeking early release from prison.
The president issued pardons 1,535 decisions in total last year, marking a 45% increase compared to the previous year. Of these, 571 requests were approved – roughly one-third.
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The Framework for Fast-Track Pardons
A large portion of the pardons granted involved shortening criminal record durations for soldiers and reservists who served during the war last year. Part of the “Iron Swords” framework adopted by the president significantly increases the chances of approval for those who served in security roles.
The President’s Office also has additional frameworks for specific groups, such as cannabis-related offenders, support for women trying to leave prostitution rings, disabled IDF veterans and more.
The president’s wife, Michal Herzog, has also contributed to the efforts to help female sex workers. On December 4th, a special event was held at the President’s Residence to raise awareness about the pardon terms for women accused of prostitution, to them break free from the harsh cycle. Along with the president’s wife, representatives from numerous civil aid organizations focused on this issue were also in attendance.
Whether in regular service or reserves, every soldier with a criminal record who served in the war has the opportunity to submit a pardon request to the committee for the expungement of criminal records, as long as they meet specific terms outlined by the pardons committee.
Limitations and Exclusions
The President’s Office has also clarified areas where pardons will not be granted. These include: sexual offenders, domestic violence perpetrators, traffic-related offenders, and environmental offenses. Additionally, in light of rising crime and violence within the Arab community, the president has decided not to grant leniency for weapons-related offenses tied to these issues. This balanced approach reflects President Herzog’s effort to address social justice while maintaining strict boundaries for serious offenses.