BICOM

The Israeli soldier convicted of shooting dead an incapacitated Palestinian assailant has been sentenced to 18 months for manslaughter, a 12 month suspended sentence, and demoted to the rank of Private.

The judges reconvened today to announce the sentence after Elor Azaria was found guilty of manslaughter in January. Azaria is expected to launch an appeal against the sentence but he is scheduled to begin his prison term on 5 March.

Reading the judgement, Judge Maya Heller said she and her colleagues had “considered the harm to societal values done by the accused”. She said Azaria had violated both the Army’s rules of engagement and its values.

The sentence was condemned by some hardline politicians as too harsh. Likud MK David Bitan said: “I don’t want him to sit a single day in prison.” Education Minister and Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett said: “The process was tainted from its foundation. It is forbidden for Elor to sit in jail because we will all pay the price.”

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog said: “Azaria is a victim of impossible political circumstances that Israel has been evading for decades. The government and security officials should look at ways to prevent the next incident”

Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid  called for an end to the political interference in the case. He said: “Elor is a soldier who made a grave mistake under difficult circumstances. I hope that Elor’s commanders will consider a pardon that will let him and his family get back to their lives, but that is a decision left to his commanders alone. Politicians should stop intervening in what happens in the military system. I commend the chief of staff and the court for their brave stand for the army’s values.”

The Army prosecutor argued that Azaria should serve between three and five years after he was caught on film shooting dead a Palestinian man who had attacked soldiers at a checkpoint in Hebron and stabbed one of them.

The Azaria case sparked a lengthy debate in Israel. The Israeli military prioritises a high moral standard that is based on the Israel Defence Force Code of Ethics. The Israeli army is largely made up of 18- 21 year old conscripts, recruited from across the country. This results in a very high value placed on the protection of the lives of soldiers in the field. The Government and IDF are also considered to have a primary duty to protect soldiers.

The debate before and during the trial became especially emotive as Israel suffered more than 465 attacks from Palestinian assailants including 275 stabbings and attempted stabbings, 135 shootings and 55 car rammings. 46 people have been killed, and 659 wounded. 205 Palestinians have been killed and 172 arrested while attempting to carry out attacks.