Herzog knew the stakes when he pardoned Elor Azaria so close to an election
Expunging the former IDF soldier's criminal record less than 40 days before Israelis vote paves the way for his possible political future. It also gives ammunition to the far right against Gadi Eisenkot
President Isaac Herzog has pardoned Elor Azaria, a former IDF soldier, expunging his criminal record. Azaria was convicted of manslaughter for shooting Palestinian attacker Abdel Fatah al-Sharif in Hebron in 2016. According to the President's Office, Herzog's decision was made in the spirit of repair, reconciliation, and moving forward, and was influenced by Azaria's expressed regret and the passage of time.
The pardon was granted just under 40 days before an election, which Haaretz says paves the way for Azaria's possible political future and gives ammunition to the far right against Gadi Eisenkot. Defense Minister Israel Katz welcomed the decision, calling it "correct, humane and worthy" and expressing the spirit of forgiveness.
Azaria began his prison term in August 2024 and had his criminal record erased ahead of Yom Kippur. The decision was made nearly a decade after the shooting that sparked a national controversy, with Arutz Sheva - Israel National News reporting that Herzog granted Azaria's request.
Brief written by urgent.news from Haaretz, Jerusalem Post, Arutz Sheva - Israel National News — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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