Blue and White party chairman Benny Gantz said that "Netanyahu knows that the request for pardon, which does not align with the standard process in Israel, is an absolute fake meant to divert public attention from the draft exemption law he is promoting at the expense of our children." He called on Netanyahu: "Instead of fueling the fire, extinguish the blaze you created in Israeli society, stop damaging democracy, call for elections and only then request a plea deal or pardon."