Pardoning of Israeli soldier evokes a long history of clemency for those who kill Palestinians

Elor Azaria, who killed a wounded Palestinian assailant, had his criminal record cleared. It follows a history of such pardons and reduced sentences.

By: Tamir Sorek, Penn State, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: October 12, 2026

Words: 1,272

Last Updated: 5 days, 15 hours ago

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By Tamir Sorek, Penn State

The pardoning of Elor Azaria, a former Israeli soldier convicted of killing a wounded Palestinian man in the occupied West Bank, comes with a history.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s decision itself – announced on Sept. 19, 2026 – came more than eight years after Azaria left prison.

The immediate effect is that it clears Azaria of his criminal record. But its public significance is broader – and reaches …

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