Israeli president pardons soldier who killed wounded Palestinian in 2016 West Bank shooting

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has granted a pardon to Elor Azaria, a former soldier previously convicted of manslaughter for the 2016 killing of an incapacitated Palestinian attacker in Hebron. The decision follows a request from Defense Minister Israel Katz to clear Azaria’s criminal record. Azaria had previously served nine months of a reduced sentence for the shooting.

The incident, which occurred in the West Bank, drew significant international and domestic attention at the time of the trial. The pardon effectively removes the criminal record associated with the conviction, marking the conclusion of a long-standing legal case that sparked intense debate regarding military conduct and judicial accountability.