{
  "id": 8774388,
  "title": "Herzog knew the stakes when he pardoned Elor Azaria so close to an election",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/herzog-knew-the-stakes-when-he-pardoned-elor-azaria-so-close-to-an",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T21:21:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Haaretz",
    "slug": "haaretz",
    "url": "https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2026-09-21/ty-article/.premium/herzog-knew-the-stakes-when-he-pardoned-elor-azaria-so-close-to-an-election/000001a0-bf82-d017-a9f1-bfafd394000a"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nAzaria 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.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "President Herzog shortens Elor Azaria’s criminal record period",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/president-herzog-shortens-elor-azarias-criminal-record-period",
        "published": "2026-09-19T16:46:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Haaretz",
        "title": "President Herzog pardons Elor Azaria, IDF soldier convicted of 2016 killing of wounded Palestinian assailant",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/president-herzog-pardons-elor-azaria-idf-soldier-convicted-of-2016",
        "published": "2026-09-19T17:01:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "President Herzog grants Elor Azaria pardon ahead of Yom Kippur, erases record",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/president-herzog-grants-elor-azaria-pardon-ahead-of-yom-kippur-erases",
        "published": "2026-09-19T18:36:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}