Israeli President Isaac Herzog confirmed on Monday that he would only consider the “interest of the state” in response to a pardon request submitted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Herzog said in a statement the day after Netanyahu submitted a request for clemency in corruption-related charges, “This issue will be dealt with in the most efficient and precise way.”

He added,"I will only consider the interests of the State and Israeli society; nothing is in my sights except the State of Israel and its interests."

Netanyahu, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the three cases against him, announced on Sunday that he had requested a pardon from the Israeli president, without admitting guilt.

Netanyahu wrote in his request that “the continuation of the trial is tearing us apart from within, stirring up sharp divisions, and deepening the rift.”

Last month, US President Donald Trump sent a letter to his Israeli counterpart asking him to pardon Netanyahu.

In one case, Netanyahu and his wife Sara are accused of receiving lavish gifts worth more than $260,000, including champagne, cigars and jewelry, from billionaires in exchange for political favors.

In two other cases, Netanyahu is accused of attempting to negotiate favorable media coverage from two Israeli media outlets.

The Prime Minister said, “I am confident, as are many in the nation, that ending the trial immediately will greatly help to reduce tensions and promote the broad reconciliation that our country so desperately needs.”

Dozens of people demonstrated on Sunday evening in front of Herzog's residence in Tel Aviv, demanding that the pardon request be rejected.

“We are here to say that there is no such thing as being cleared of charges for being a criminal,” protester Paula Koch told AFP. “He is a criminal and should stand trial like any other citizen in Israel.”

But pro-Netanyahu protestor Raphael Shamir said, “If the country’s interest requires Netanyahu to request a postponement of the trial, then I support him.”

Opposition leaders criticized Netanyahu for requesting a pardon without admitting guilt, while several members of the ruling coalition supported his request.

Netanyahu is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to face a corruption trial.

Previously, Ehud Olmert resigned in 2009 after being questioned by police in a corruption case, before being tried and sentenced to 27 months in prison on fraud charges.