The President's Residence says it is still awaiting remaining opinions from the IDF before deciding on Elor Azaria's request to expunge his criminal record. Defense Minister Israel Katz's opinion has been received. President Isaac Herzog will weigh the request once all assessments are in, the office said Tuesday.
The President's Residence on Tuesday provided its most detailed public response yet to Elor Azaria's request to expunge his criminal record, indicating the process is still in an early stage. The office confirmed it has received only the opinion of Defense Minister Israel Katz so far, and is waiting for further assessments from IDF bodies before President Isaac Herzog makes a decision.
As The Zioneer reported Tuesday morning, the President's Residence had earlier stated that only the defense minister's opinion had been received. The new message from the office adds that the president is awaiting "the remaining opinions from the IDF required to continue the process," and will weigh the request "with responsibility and seriousness" once all material is in hand.
Azaria, a former IDF soldier, was convicted in 2017 of manslaughter for shooting a neutralized Palestinian attacker in Hebron. His case remains a politically charged issue in Israel, with right-wing lawmakers and activists advocating for a full pardon or record expungement, while the security establishment and legal officials have been more reserved. The timeline for a final decision remains unclear.
3 developments
- StrongKatz submits opinion to president supporting expungement of Elor Azaria's criminal record; IDF and military justice oppose
- StrongKatz seeks swift IDF opinion on expunging Elor Azaria's criminal record
- 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