What began as Israel’s leader cold-shouldering the mainstream media is becoming a more widespread assault on the country’s freedom of the press.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the request would help unify the country at a time of momentous changes in the region.

JERUSALEM, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that the second phase of a U.S. plan to end the war in Gaza was close, but cautioned several key issues still needed to be resolved, including whether a multinational security force would be deployed.

Prime minister’s warning comes after the attack Sunday on a Chanukah event in Sydney.

The request comes weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump also asked Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Netanyahu.

Netanyahu requests presidential pardon while facing corruption trial, citing need to heal national divisions in unprecedented move by sitting Israeli PM.

The prime minister told Israel's president that criminal proceedings over charges of bribery and fraud were hindering his ability to govern and a pardon would be good for the country.

Sa’ar said in an exclusive sitdown Monday morning that rhetoric from the new Big Apple leader, who has repeatedly vowed the NYPD would slap handcuffs on the prime minister if elected,

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