Israeli President Isaac Herzog decided to clear the criminal record of former soldier Elor Azaria, who killed wounded Palestinian Abd al-Fattah al-Sharif in the occupied West Bank. The decision was made following an application by Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz after Azaria had completed his sentence.
Herzog's office said the reasons for the decision included the time that had passed since the incident and the fact that Azaria had served the sentence imposed on him. The statement also said that Azaria's ability to start a new chapter in his life had been taken into consideration.
The statement added that the circumstances experienced by the Azaria family since the start of the trial had also been assessed. It argued that the decision was not intended to weaken or interfere with the judicial proceedings in the case.
The Israeli army said Azaria had avoided expressing remorse for his actions and accepting responsibility. Katz welcomed Herzog's decision and said it would allow Azaria to start a new chapter in his life.
The incident and legal proceedings
The incident took place on March 24, 2016, in the Tel Rumeida area of Hebron, in the southern West Bank. Azaria, who was serving as a soldier in the Israeli army, opened fire on Abd al-Fattah al-Sharif, who was lying wounded on the ground, and Sharif died.
An Israeli military court convicted Azaria of involuntary manslaughter in January 2017. Azaria was later sentenced to 18 months in prison; Gadi Eisenkot, then chief of staff of the Israeli army, reduced the sentence by four months.
Azaria was released from prison in May 2018 under an early-release decision after serving about nine months. Last July, Katz applied to Herzog, saying that more than 10 years had passed since the incident and that the former soldier had served his full sentence.
Controversy
The case caused deep divisions in Israel while it was being heard. While military officials defended the prosecution, some politicians and members of the public called for a pardon for Azaria.
