IDF Chief Opposes Defense Minister's Support for Elor Azaria's Pardon Request

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) firmly oppose granting a pardon to Elor Azaria, despite Defense Minister Israel Katz's backing of the move. Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi and the head of the Personnel Directorate submitted a clear opinion against approving Azaria's request to erase his criminal record. According to the IDF, the pardon review process involves three military bodies: the Military Advocate General's Office, the Personnel Directorate, and the Chief of Staff. After thorough consideration, the IDF concluded that the circumstances do not justify erasing Azaria's criminal record and forwarded this stance to the Defense Minister.

Chief of Staff Kochavi emphasized that their position is based on the Deputy Military Advocate General's legal opinion and several key factors. Primarily, Azaria has not expressed remorse or taken responsibility for his actions even a decade after his conviction. Additionally, there are no new circumstances warranting a change from previous presidential decisions, nor any significant personal factors. The legal principle cited is that a criminal record generally remains for the prescribed period, with pardons being exceptions.

Earlier on Tuesday, Defense Minister Katz formally requested President Isaac Herzog to grant Azaria a pardon by shortening the period of his criminal record. Katz noted that over ten years have passed since the incident and that Azaria served his full prison sentence. The request does not seek to overturn the conviction but to reduce the duration of the criminal record after the statutory limitation period has elapsed.

The President's Office confirmed that the request came from Azaria himself and was forwarded to the security establishment for input, including from the Defense Minister and the IDF. Despite the significant differences in opinions, President Herzog will consider the request responsibly and seriously.

Azaria was convicted in 2016 for the fatal shooting of a wounded Palestinian attacker in Hebron while serving as a battalion medic. The military court sentenced him to 18 months in prison, ruling that he shot the attacker not out of immediate danger but by his own decision. Azaria's appeals were rejected, and his sentence was later reduced by one-third. He was released in May 2018 after serving nine months.