Defense Minister signs order to expunge criminal record of Elor Azaria

Defense Minister Israel Katz signed the order to expunge the criminal record of Elor Azaria, after the President announced the move on the eve of Yom Kippur. Azaria, who was convicted of manslaughter of a terrorist in Hebron and sentenced to 18 months in prison, will begin his life without a criminal record, nearly a decade after the incident.

Defense Minister Israel Katz signed the order today (Thursday) to expunge the criminal record of Elor Azaria. The move comes after the President announced it on the eve of Yom Kippur, and it is now official. Azaria, who was convicted of manslaughter of a terrorist in Hebron and sentenced to 18 months in prison, will begin his life without a criminal record – as should have been done long ago, according to the article. The incident occurred while he was serving as a soldier in the sector, after the terrorist stabbed his fellow battalion member. The article presents the move as the completion of justice, using the phrase "as should have been done long ago" – an expression indicating a clear value-based stance by the author.