Joining Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman and elected officials, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has signed a petition calling on President Reuven Rivlin to pardon former IDF soldier Elor Azariya. MK (Yisrael Beitenu) Sharon Gal, who is close to the Azariya family, initiated the petition.

The young Azariya was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for shooting and killing a wounded terrorist, who the court determined no longer posed a threat.

Following an appeal from Azariya, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gadi Eizenkott reduced his sentence by four months, to 14 months. A request was submitted to President Rivlin to pardon him, but it was denied.

The President’s Residence responded, explaining the petition is yet to arrive so there is no comment, pointing out once the present has ruled on a pardon request, six months must pass for an additional request to be filed.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)