Former defense minister Moshe (Bogi) Ya'alon, who resigned over the 2016 Elor Azaria affair, has written that a decade after the incident there is room to consider erasing the soldier's criminal record. The statement adds a notable voice to the ongoing debate, coming from a figure who had opposed Azaria's actions at the time.
Former defense minister Moshe (Bogi) Ya'alon, who resigned from his post in 2016 over the Elor Azaria affair, has written that there is room to consider expunging Azaria's criminal record. In a statement, Ya'alon said: 'A decade after his act, which was contrary to values and law, of soldier Elor Azaria — there is place to consider erasing his criminal record.' The comment adds a notable voice to the debate, as Ya'alon had opposed Azaria's actions at the time.
Earlier today, The Zioneer tracked a series of fast-moving developments in the case. At 09:50 Jerusalem, we reported that Defense Minister Israel Katz had submitted a formal request to expunge Azaria's record (v2). Minutes later, the IDF Chief of Staff, Head of the Manpower Directorate, and the Military Advocate General opposed the move, citing lack of remorse (v4, v5). By 09:50, Katz had signed the expungement despite the military's opposition (v8), with the IDF's formal letter citing Azaria's failure to express remorse (v7). All these reports were published at 09:50 Jerusalem today, as The Zioneer followed the unfolding story.
As The Zioneer reported on Monday (Jun 29, 20:50 Jerusalem), Katz was leaning toward recommending erasure of Azaria's record, and later that evening he sought a swift IDF opinion on the matter (Jun 29, 23:43 Jerusalem). The expungement battle comes nearly a decade after Azaria was convicted of manslaughter in the 2016 Hebron shooting, a case that deeply divided Israeli society.
While Katz has signed the expungement, the IDF's formal opposition remains on record, and it is unclear whether the president's office will take any further action. Ya'alon's statement, while significant, does not alter the official decision.
8 developments
- DevelopingDefense minister leans toward erasing Elor Azaria's criminal record, report says
- StrongKatz seeks swift IDF opinion on expunging Elor Azaria's criminal record
- StrongIDF rejects request to expunge Elor Azaria's criminal record, forwards stance to defense minister
- DevelopingPresident's Residence says it has not yet received IDF assessments on Azaria record expungement request
Source and signal
- Internal intake