BICOM

Yesterday’s conviction of an Israeli soldier, found guilty of manslaughter after killing a wounded Palestinian assailant, generated extensive commentary about the consequences for Israeli politics and society.

Many commentators criticise what they regard as the highly politicised nature of the case. Writing in Yediot Ahronot, Nahum Barnea says that politicians such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett and Likud’s Culture Minister Miri Regev made things worse for convicted soldier Sgt Elor Azaria and should actually be on  his“list of enemies”, despite publicly calling for him to be pardoned yesterday.

Barnea argues that “What should have happened yesterday, at the end of the reading of the verdict, was an expedited process,” resulting in a commuted sentence for Azaria. However, the politicians “jumped in” and have made the process far more complex.

In Maariv, Ben Caspit criticises those who are “turning Elor Azaria into a hero”. Caspit explains: “That is precisely what our enemies do, indiscriminately, contrary to universal values and ethics. This is the watershed moment that separates between us and them. The fact that in the State of Israel and the IDF, you do not fatally shoot someone who is lying on the ground and no longer poses a threat is our great advantage over them.”

Caspit reserves particular criticism for Netanyahu, noting that he released a statement five minutes before the evening news broadcasts, calling for Azaria to be pardoned. Caspit says: “Leadership is supposed to chart a course, set boundaries, and guide. In Israel of 2017, the leadership goes with the murkiest flow.”

In Haaretz, Barak Ravid also criticises Netanyahu, saying that his statement yesterday gave “no choice but to conclude that the Prime Minister has thrown the chief of staff, the military justice system, army orders and the IDF’s values under the bus. For fear of the internet commentators, the polls and the seats that are fleeing from his Likud party to Naftali Bennett’s Jewish Home”.