Israeli President Isaac Herzog granted a pardon to Elor Azaria, a former soldier convicted of manslaughter for killing a badly wounded Palestinian, Abdel Fattah al-Sharif, in Hebron in 2016. Azaria shot al-Sharif at close range, in the head, while he was lying on the ground and bleeding. This incident occurred after Israeli forces had shot and wounded al-Sharif, claiming he had attacked one of their soldiers.
The incident took place in 2016, and Azaria was convicted of manslaughter in 2017, receiving an 18-month prison sentence. He served half of his sentence before being released in May 2018. The case drew significant attention in Israel and sparked widespread criticism from Palestinians and human rights groups. They argued that the punishment was too lenient and reflected a double standard in the treatment of crimes committed by Israeli soldiers.
The pardon was granted on the recommendation of Defense Minister Israel Katz, with Herzog's office citing the time that had passed since the case and Azaria's completion of his sentence. The statement expressed Herzog's desire to allow Azaria to "open a new chapter in his life." However, no similar reference was made to the right of the slain Palestinian's family to justice.
The decision to pardon Azaria has been met with criticism from Palestinians and human rights groups, who argue that it highlights the lack of accountability for Israeli soldiers who commit crimes against Palestinians. In a separate statement, Katz described the pardon as a "right, humane, and fitting decision," stating that Azaria had been carrying out a "complex operational mission."
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir supported the pardon, stating that the case should never have been entered into the criminal record in the first place if the rules of engagement had been different. He also called on Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges.
The occupied West Bank is experiencing a deteriorating humanitarian and security situation, with Israeli forces conducting daily raids, arresting hundreds of Palestinians, demolishing their homes, and restricting their movement. According to reports, Israeli forces and settlers have killed at least 1,108 Palestinians, including 174 children, in the West Bank since the outbreak of Israel's conflict on Gaza in October 2023.
The United Nations has expressed concern over the surge in killings of Palestinians by Israeli security forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank, calling for independent investigations and accountability. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk and spokesperson Jeremy Laurence emphasized the need to end impunity for Israeli security forces' unlawful use of force and growing settler violence.
Key points
- Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, has pardoned Elor Azaria, a soldier who killed a badly wounded Palestinian in the occupied West Bank in 2016.
- The pardon has been criticized by Palestinians and human rights groups, who argue that it highlights the lack of accountability for Israeli soldiers who commit crimes against Palestinians.
- The occupied West Bank is experiencing a deteriorating humanitarian and security situation, with Israeli forces conducting daily raids and restricting Palestinian movement.
