President Herzog grants Elor Azaria pardon ahead of Yom Kippur, erases record

Azaria began his term in prison in August 2024 after being convicted of manslaughter for shooting Palestinian attacker Abdel Fatah al-Sharif on March 24, 2016, in Hebron during his IDF service.

President Isaac Herzog decided to accept Elor Azaria’s request and erase the rest of his criminal record, he announced on Saturday.

"After many long years in which Azaria bore the consequences of his actions, the president believes that the circumstances as a whole, the passage of time, and the regret he expressed justify allowing him to open a new chapter in his life. This decision was made in the spirit of these days as well, and out of a belief in the importance of repair, reconciliation and the ability to move forward," the President’s Office said.

Azaria began his term in prison in August 2024 after being convicted of manslaughter for shooting Palestinian attacker Abdel Fatah al-Sharif on March 24, 2016, in Hebron during his IDF service.

Defense Minister Israel Katz welcomed Herzog’s decision to accept his recommendation to pardon Azaria and erase his criminal record.

Defense Minister Katz welcomes pardon for Azaria

"On the eve of Yom Kippur, this is a correct, humane and worthy decision, expressing the spirit of forgiveness and the possibility of opening a new chapter," Katz wrote on X/Twitter.

"Elor served as a combat soldier and an outstanding combat medic in the Kfir Brigade and became involved in an incident during complex operational activity. After a decade, after serving his sentence and paying a heavy personal and family price, the time has come to allow him to leave the past behind, rebuild his life, and build his future."

"Granting the pardon sends an important message to IDF soldiers and their families: We do not abandon soldiers, and we do not leave them behind."

"Elor, I stand with you and your family and wish you a gmar chatima tova and a year of new beginnings."