Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for a pardon for a soldier convicted of manslaughter for shooting dead a wounded Palestinian attacker as he lay on the ground.
Elor Azaria, whose military trial since May has deeply divided the Zionist entity, was convicted on Wednesday, with right-wing politicians defending him despite top army brass condemning his actions.
He now faces up to 20 years in prison.
Reacting to the conviction, Netanyahu called for the 20-year-old French-Israeli sergeant to be pardoned.
“This has been a hard and painful day for us all — first and foremost for Elor and his family,” Netanyahu wrote on Facebook.
“I support giving a pardon to Elor Azaria.”
Netanyahu made waves before the trial even began by calling Azaria’s father to express his sympathy.
President Reuven Rivlin’s office had earlier said any talk of a pardon was premature and that an application could only be made after the judicial process had run its course.
No date has yet been announced for sentencing, and Azaria could then appeal.
Source: AFP
