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Israeli president overrules military to pardon soldier who killed incapacitated Palestinian attacker
CNN • • world
Key Points:
- Israeli President Isaac Herzog pardoned Elor Azaria, a soldier who killed an incapacitated Palestinian attacker in 2016, erasing his criminal record despite opposition from the military chief of staff.
- The case was highly divisive in Israel, with right-wing figures including Prime Minister Netanyahu supporting the pardon, while the military condemned the shooting as a serious breach of conduct.
- Former Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon criticized the pardon, highlighting Azaria’s lack of remorse and responsibility for the killing.
- Azaria was sentenced to 18 months in prison but served only nine months before release; Herzog justified the pardon citing the time elapsed and Azaria’s expressed sorrow.
- Defense Minister Israel Katz praised the pardon as humane, emphasizing the need for Azaria to move on and rebuild his life, while the IDF Chief of Staff had opposed the pardon due to Azaria’s lack of remorse.
