Ten years after the 2016 Hebron shooting, Defense Minister Israel Katz has formally asked President Isaac
By Sammy Tisser,
Ten years after the 2016 Hebron shooting, Defense Minister Israel Katz has formally asked President Isaac Herzog to pardon former IDF soldier Elor Azaria by expunging his criminal record years before it is due to be automatically cleared. Katz argued that Azaria has already served his sentence and continues to face significant obstacles rebuilding his life and finding employment.
Azaria was convicted of manslaughter in 2017 for fatally shooting a wounded Palestinian attacker after the assailant had already been incapacitated following a stabbing attack. Originally sentenced to 18 months in prison, his sentence was reduced to 14 months, and he was released in 2018 after serving nine months. Katz described Azaria as a young soldier operating under extraordinary stress and said the intense public scrutiny has continued to exact a heavy personal toll.
The request is Azaria's third bid for a presidential pardon. While Katz supports shortening the waiting period to clear his record, the IDF has formally opposed the move, saying Azaria has never expressed remorse and that the military's position was determined following consultations with senior legal and military officials, including the Military Advocate General, the Manpower Directorate, and the chief of staff. President Herzog said he will consider the request only after receiving all required recommendations.
Topics: IDF
Reported by Sammy Tisser for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.