Israeli President cleared the criminal record of the soldier who killed a wounded Palestinian

Israeli President expunged the criminal record of the serviceman who killed a wounded Palestinian

The Israeli army opposed the early expungement of the criminal record of Elor Azaria, the serviceman who shot and killed a wounded Palestinian in Hebron in 2016. Nevertheless, Israeli President Isaac Herzog expunged the serviceman's criminal record on September 19.

The president's decision took effect immediately. In reality, the criminal record was supposed to remain until 2032. Azaria's appeal was not supported by Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir, the head of the army's Personnel Directorate, and the military prosecution.

The military leadership stated that the early expungement of a criminal record is equivalent to an extraordinary measure. For 10 years following the sentencing, Azaria refrained from "expressing remorse for his actions and taking responsibility."

Herzog, on the other hand, took into account the time that has passed since the crime was committed, the fact that Azaria has served his sentence, changes in his family situation, and his difficulties in finding a job. According to the president's office, Azaria stated in his appeal that he regretted the consequences of what happened.

At the same time, the president specifically noted that his decision does not overturn the findings of the military court and is not a review of the case. Defense Minister Israel Katz, however, opposed the army's position and recommended that the president grant Azaria's request.

Following this decision, Katz said that the state "does not abandon its soldiers." National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also welcomed the decision and called for allowing Azaria to return to military service if he wishes.

Azaria served as a medic in the "Kfir" brigade. On March 24, 2016, two Palestinians attacked an Israeli soldier with knives in Hebron. One of them — Abdel Fattah al-Sharif — was seriously wounded and neutralized. About 11 minutes later, Azaria shot al-Sharif, who was lying motionless on the ground, in the head. The military court rejected Azaria's claim that "he feared the Palestinian might have an explosive device on him," found him guilty of manslaughter in 2017, and sentenced him to 18 months in prison. Later, Chief of the General Staff Gadi Eisenkot reduced the sentence to 14 months, and in reality, Azaria spent 9 months in prison.

The Israeli president's pardon does not lift the sanctions imposed on Azaria in 2024 by the administration of former US President Joe Biden, including a ban on entry to the US for him and his immediate family members.