Defense Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday submitted a formal opinion to President Isaac Herzog supporting the expungement of Elor Azaria's criminal record, according to reports. The IDF Chief of Staff and Head of Personnel Directorate opposed the request, citing Azaria's lack of remorse and no change in circumstances. The Deputy Military Advocate General noted this is Azaria's third application and reiterated the military justice system's opposition.
Defense Minister Israel Katz has submitted a formal opinion to President Isaac Herzog supporting the expungement of Elor Azaria's criminal record, according to reports. The opinion urges the president to erase the record of the former Kfir Brigade soldier, who was convicted of manslaughter in 2016.
The IDF Chief of Staff and the Head of the Personnel Directorate opposed the request, stating that Azaria "has avoided expressing remorse even after a decade" and that there is "no change in circumstances justifying a change from the President's previous decision." The Deputy Military Advocate General reinforced that position, writing that "there has been no substantial change in circumstances since 2024, when the IDF's last position was formulated" and that this is Azaria's third application.
The development caps a rapid series of moves this week. As The Zioneer reported, on Monday evening Katz was reported to be leaning toward recommending erasure, and by Monday night he had sought a swift opinion from IDF legal officials. On Tuesday morning, the President's Residence said it had not yet received the IDF assessments. Katz's formal opinion has now been submitted, with the military justice system reiterating its opposition. The president will now weigh the competing positions before making a decision.
5 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