# Israeli Soldier Pardoned After Killing Palestinian

> Israeli president pardons soldier who killed wounded Palestinian, revealing a century-long pattern of leniency for such acts.
- Title: Israeli Soldier Pardoned After Killing Palestinian | Shortify
- Summary: Israeli president pardons soldier who killed wounded Palestinian, revealing a century-long pattern of leniency for such acts. Israeli president pardoned Elor…
- Keywords: elor azaria, israeli president, israeli soldier, palestinian, pardoning, military court, wounded palestinian, occupied west bank, yom kippur, israeli justice system, human rights, palestinians rights
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/pardoning-of-israeli-soldier-evokes-a-long-history-of-clemency-for-those-who-kill-palestinians-293623
- Author: Tamir Sorek
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: elor azaria, israeli president, israeli soldier, palestinian, pardoning, military court, wounded palestinian, occupied west bank, yom kippur, israeli justice system, human rights, palestinians rights
## Elor Azaria pardoned
Israeli president Isaac Herzog pardoned Elor Azaria, a former soldier convicted of killing a wounded Palestinian in the occupied West Bank.
## Azaria's conviction
Azaria was convicted of manslaughter in 2017 after shooting dead a Palestinian armed with knives in Hebron on March 24, 2016.
## Pardoning decision
Herzog's office cited Azaria's sorrow, years passed, and Yom Kippur as reasons for the pardon on Sept. 19, 2026.
## Historical precedent
A pattern of leniency for soldiers killing Palestinians dates back to Israel's founding, with early cases like Shmuel Lahis in 1950.
## Kafr Qasim massacre
In 1956, Israeli troops killed 47 Palestinians in Kafr Qasim, leading to convictions and early releases by 1960.
## Military court outcomes
Since 1987, only 12 soldiers were indicted for killing Palestinians, with none convicted of murder in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
## Pardoning pattern
The pardon shows how clemency for soldiers killing Palestinians has been a state practice for nearly 80 years.
## Human rights concern
Human rights groups warn the pardon demonstrates the Israeli justice system's inability to enforce laws against soldiers harming Palestinians.
## Long-term consequence
The pardon signals that killing Palestinians is forgivable, reinforcing a pattern that has persisted for decades.
## Key takeaway

Israeli president pardoned Elor Azaria, a soldier who killed a wounded Palestinian in 2016, showing a long history of clemency for soldiers who kill Palestinians.