Defense Minister Israel Katz has formally asked President Isaac Herzog to pardon former IDF soldier Elor Azaria, nearly a decade after his 2016 conviction for manslaughter in Hebron. The IDF released a statement opposing the request, saying there has been no substantial change in circumstances. Azaria served nine months of an 18-month sentence.
Defense Minister Israel Katz is seeking a presidential pardon for Elor Azaria, the former IDF soldier convicted of manslaughter in 2016 for fatally shooting a wounded Palestinian attacker in Hebron. Katz formally requested President Isaac Herzog to clear Azaria's criminal record, arguing that a soldier who acted during an operational mission should not bear long-term consequences.
As The Zioneer reported earlier Tuesday, Katz had already signed to expunge Azaria's criminal record despite opposition from the IDF Chief of Staff and Military Advocate General. The President's Residence said it had not yet received the IDF's assessments on the matter. On Tuesday, the IDF released a statement opposing the clemency request, stating there has been no substantial change in circumstances and that the request should be denied.
Azaria served nine months of an 18-month prison sentence. President Herzog has not yet commented on the pardon request. The case remains a politically sensitive issue, with supporters arguing Azaria acted in self-defense during a combat mission, while critics emphasize the legal ruling against him.
6 developments
- StrongKatz seeks swift IDF opinion on expunging Elor Azaria's criminal record
- DevelopingPresident's Residence says it has not yet received IDF assessments on Azaria record expungement request
- DevelopingDefense minister leans toward erasing Elor Azaria's criminal record, report says
- DevelopingYa'alon: 'Room to consider' expunging Elor Azaria's criminal record
Source and signal
- Internal intake