Israel President Isaac Herzog granted a pardon on Monday to former combat medic Elor Azaria, who shot and killed Palestinian attacker Abdel Fattah al‑Sharif in Hebron in 2013.
The incident unfolded when al‑Sharif, badly wounded and lying unarmed, was shot in the head by Azaria after he had stabbed an Israeli soldier. A cellphone video captured the fatal moment and sparked a nationwide debate over the rules of engagement.
Azaria was convicted of manslaughter by a military court in 2017 and sentenced to 18 months, of which he served two‑thirds before being released. He has since expressed that he would act the same way again, saying it was “what he needed to do.”
Defence Minister Israel Katz, who recommended the pardon, called the decision “right, humane, and fitting.” Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir reportedly opposed the move, a stance that drew criticism from some military officials.
The pardon follows a wave of political pressure: former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged its approval, while hard‑line National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir welcomed the decision, praising Azaria for eliminating a terrorist. Human rights groups, however, argue the original sentence was too lenient and call for a reassessment of military accountability.
Azaria will be released from prison immediately, and the case may influence how future military courts handle field‑fire incidents. The decision comes ahead of Yom Kippur and could set a precedent for other soldiers convicted of similar actions.