Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the president to grant him a pardon during his long-running corruption trial which has bitterly divided the country.

In a statement on Sunday the prime minister’s office said Netanyahu had submitted a request for a pardon to the legal department of the Office of the President.

The office called it an “extraordinary request” with “significant implications”.

Mr Netanyahu is the only sitting prime minister in Israeli history to stand trial after being charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three cases accusing him of exchanging favours with wealthy political supporters. He has not yet been convicted of anything.

The request comes weeks after US President Donald Trump urged Israel to pardon him.

In a videotaped state

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