**Title: Israel’s President Pardons Soldier Convicted of Killing Wounded Palestinian**
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has officially pardoned Elor Azaria, a former soldier convicted of manslaughter for the 2016 killing of a wounded Palestinian man in Hebron. The decision, announced on September 19, 2026, has stirred significant controversy and debate within Israel and beyond.
Azaria, who was serving as an army medic at the time of the incident, was filmed shooting Abdel Fattah al-Sharif in the head after al-Sharif had already been shot and incapacitated by other Israeli forces. The incident occurred in March 2016, following a stabbing attack in which al-Sharif wounded an Israeli soldier. Azaria was convicted by a military court in 2017 and initially sentenced to 18 months in prison, a sentence that was later reduced to 14 months. He ultimately served nine months before his release in May 2018.
The president's office stated that the decision to expunge Azaria's criminal record was influenced by a request from Defence Minister Israel Katz, made in July. Herzog's office cited the passage of time, the completion of Azaria's sentence, and his expression of remorse as key factors in their decision. The pardon was framed as a gesture in the spirit of Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, and was noted to not challenge the original legal proceedings against Azaria.
However, the move has faced opposition from senior military officials, including Israeli army Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir. In a letter to the defence minister, Zamir and other high-ranking officers expressed concern that Azaria had not shown remorse or taken responsibility for his actions even years after his conviction. This sentiment reflects ongoing divisions within Israeli society regarding the military's conduct and accountability in the occupied territories.
Reactions to the pardon have been polarized. Defence Minister Katz welcomed the decision, asserting that it sends a strong message of support to Israeli soldiers and their families. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir described the pardon as “deeply moving” and called for similar leniency for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges.
The 2016 shooting incident sparked widespread debate and condemnation, both domestically and internationally. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs labeled the shooting an “extrajudicial execution” and a “war crime,” arguing that the video evidence undermined claims about the ethical standards of the Israeli military. The family of al-Sharif dismissed the legal proceedings against Azaria as a “farce,” asserting that they were more about improving Israel's international image than delivering justice.
The United Nations human rights office also criticized Azaria's original sentence as “excessively lenient,” warning that it could reinforce a culture of impunity for military personnel involved in similar incidents. In 2024, the Biden administration barred Azaria and his immediate family from entering the United States, citing the nature of his actions as an “extrajudicial killing.”
As the news of the pardon circulates, it is likely to reignite discussions about military ethics, accountability, and the broader implications for Israeli-Palestinian relations. The decision reflects the complexities and sensitivities surrounding issues of justice and reconciliation in a region marked by ongoing conflict.