Rivlin denies pardon for soldier Elor Azaria

A statement from the office of Israel's president Reuven Rivlin confirmed on Sunday that he denied the request by Elor Azaria (pictured above, middle) because it would harm the "resilience" of Israel's military.

"The president believes ... that an additional reduction in punishment would undermine the strength of the military, its values, and of the state of Israel," part of the statement read.

"The values of the Israel Defense Forces, and among them the Purity of Arms, are the core foundation of the strength of the Israel Defense Forces, and have always stood strong for us in the just struggle for our right to a safe, national home, and in the building a robust society."

Read more: 

- Convicted soldier: A victory for Israeli democracy

- Israel arrests protesters supporting jailed soldier

Azaria began serving an 18-month prison sentence in August after his appeal against a manslaughter verdict for fatally shooting a wounded and unarmed Palestinian assailant was denied. In September, General Gadi Eizenkot, Israel's chief of staff, reduced the sentence by four months, meaning Azaria will complete his term in October 2018 unless the routine parole board considers him for earlier release when it reviews his case early next year.

In March 2016, video footage of Azaria fatally shooting Palestinian Abdul Fatah al-Sharif was leaked online. Al-Sharif had sustained injuries after stabbing and mortally wounding a soldier in the West Bank city of Hebron. Azaria, who was supposed to arrest al-Sharif, shot the Palestinian in the head.

Azaria's case deeply divided Israel, but the nation's military pushed for his prosecution, saying he violated its code of ethics. Many Israelis defended his actions, particularly ones on the nationalist right.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman supported a full pardon.

dv/se (AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters)