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Herzog Shortens Elor Azaria’s Criminal Record Period After Katz Request
On Saturday, President Isaac Herzog pardoned Elor Azaria, the combat medic who shot a wounded Palestinian attacker in the West Bank a decade ago.
Azaria was convicted of manslaughter after shooting Abdel Fattah al-Sharif, who lay wounded in Hebron after stabbing a soldier, marking a rare military court ruling against a soldier for field actions.
While some Palestinians and human rights groups described his 18-month sentence as too lenient, many in the Israeli public supported the soldier; Azaria later stated, "I would act exactly the same, because that's how I needed to act."
Defense Minister Israel Katz recommended the pardon, which Herzog granted citing the approaching Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement, while Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir welcomed the decision as "emotional and very happy."
The pardon does not constitute a reassessment of the case, according to Herzog's statement, concluding the legal saga for the soldier who had served two-thirds of his 18-month sentence.
The case had highlighted deep divisions within Israeli society with many condemning the killing, including high-ranking army officers and those who considered it justified.
JERUSALÉN (AP) — The President of Israel pardoned the combat paramedic on Saturday who shot a seriously wounded Palestinian attacker, who had stabbed a soldier in the West Bank a decade ago, at close range.