Israeli President Herzog pardons Elor Azaria — Jerusalem Post
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has pardoned Elor Azaria and agreed to expunge the remaining records of his conviction. The Jerusalem Post reported this on September 19. Herzog granted Azaria’s request ahead of Yom Kippur.
The president’s decision
The president’s office said that Azaria had borne the consequences of his actions for many years. It noted that the decision took into account the totality of circumstances, the time that had passed, and the remorse he had expressed.
According to the presidential office’s assessment, these circumstances allow Azaria to begin a new stage in life. Herzog’s office also linked the decision to the days ahead of Yom Kippur and stressed the importance of correction, reconciliation, and the opportunity to move forward.
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The Azaria case
Azaria was convicted of manslaughter in the killing of Palestinian attacker Abdel Fattah al-Sharif. According to the publication, while serving in the Israel Defense Forces, he shot him dead on March 24, 2016, in Hebron.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz welcomed Herzog’s decision, which followed his recommendation for a pardon. Katz called the decision correct, humane, and worthy, and said that after serving his sentence and suffering significant personal and family losses, Azaria should be given the opportunity to leave the past behind, rebuild his life, and build a future.
The minister also said that the pardon is a signal to Israeli service members and their families that the state does not abandon soldiers.
