This is a truly unprecedented situation.
An Israeli prime minister, in the midst of a trial that has already been going on for years, requesting a pardon even though he hasn't been convicted.
And he is doing so with the backing of the American president, whose goodwill - by contrast to growing international condemnation - now sits at the heart of Israeli government policy.
Benjamin Netanyahu insists he will be exonerated, even if the trial does come to a conclusion.
His argument, framed across 111 pages, is that the trial is such a distraction that it is damaging the national interest and affecting his ability to govern.
He also claims that the investigation was fuelled by the malicious intent to incriminate him "at all costs", despite his decades of public service.
But there will be others who argue the absolute reverse - that the whole structure of justice depends on holding people to account, however powerful they may be.
How, the question will be asked, can you pardon someone who hasn't been convicted? What sort of a precedent would this set?
We know Donald Trump wants Netanyahu pardoned, and has said so publicly, which leaves President Isaac Herzog in an incredibly difficult spot.
He will want to show his independence, and certainly his advisers are not necessarily Netanyahu supporters.
As president, he is expected to rise above the fray of party politics and make his own decision.
But will he really want to go against Trump - the will of the most powerful man in the world, who has offered such crucial diplomatic support to Israel since returning to office?
And, with a general election scheduled for less than a year's time, how quickly will he come to his conclusion?
(c) Sky News 2025: Truly unprecedented situation - how can you pardon a prime minister who hasn't been convicted?
Children killed in mass shooting at birthday party in Stockton, California
More than 600 dead in Indonesia and Thailand after floods and landslides - and Sri Lanka reporting more than 200 deaths from cyclone
Questions over evidence used by UK police to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from Aston Villa match
Death toll rises to 146 in Hong Kong apartment complex fire as more bodies found in burned buildings
'A butcher who destroyed my life': Surgeon may never return to UK to face justice over 'botched' operations
Your Party votes to be led by members rather than single MP - avoiding Corbyn-Sultana battle
Prince William visits severely ill children evacuated to UK from Gaza
Cheating in lightning chess - how unproven allegations ended in tragedy
