Israel's Elor Azaria syndrome has come full circle - and 'NAZA' is the consequence - opinion

The article argues that the political campaign surrounding Elor Azaria, the soldier convicted of killing a wounded Palestinian in 2016, created a 'syndrome' where enforcing military law is treated as betrayal. This has made IDF commanders cautious about investigating wrongdoing, creating a credibility vacuum exploited by the documentary 'NAZA,' which alleges grave misconduct in Gaza. The author contends that Israel cannot demand trust in its military investigations while politically punishing those who conduct them.

The article argues that the political campaign surrounding Elor Azaria, the soldier convicted of killing a wounded and incapacitated Palestinian terrorist in Hebron in 2016, created a 'syndrome' where enforcing military law is treated as betrayal. This has made IDF commanders cautious about investigating wrongdoing, creating a credibility vacuum exploited by the documentary 'NAZA,' which features anonymous testimony alleging grave misconduct in Gaza. The author contends that Israel cannot demand trust in its military investigations while politically punishing commanders who conduct them. President Isaac Herzog's decision to erase Azaria's criminal record is presented as vindication, not rehabilitation. The article notes that the IDF chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, objected to the motion in a leaked letter, and that Azaria has not expressed remorse. The author, a former IDF spokesperson, argues that accountability is not betrayal but command.