Defense Minister Katz Praises President Herzog's Pardon for Elor Azaria

Defense Minister Israel Katz lauded President Isaac Herzog's decision to expunge the criminal record of former IDF soldier Elor Azaria, calling it a "correct, humane, and worthy" move.

Katz stated that he had recommended the pardon to the President, emphasizing that the timing, just before Yom Kippur, reflects the spirit of forgiveness and allows Azaria to "turn a new page." The minister added that Azaria, who served as an outstanding combat medic in the Kfir Brigade, was involved in a complex operational incident. After a decade, having served his sentence and paid a heavy personal and familial price, it is time to allow him to leave the past behind and rebuild his future.

Katz further remarked that the pardon sends an important message to IDF soldiers and their families: "We do not abandon soldiers and do not leave them behind." He offered his support to Azaria and his family, wishing them a good year and new beginnings.

Azaria was convicted by a military court of manslaughter for the 2016 killing of a Palestinian assailant who had stabbed another soldier in Hebron. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison. The incident occurred after Azaria arrived at the scene where the assailant had already attacked another soldier.

With the expungement of his record, Azaria can now move forward with his life without a criminal past, approximately a decade after the event.