3 senior officers to testify in support of Hebron soldier

Three senior officers are to testify in support of Elor Azaria, the IDF soldier on trial for manslaughter for killing a disarmed Palestinian attacker in Hebron in March.

Channel 2 names the three as Brigadier General (res.) Shmuel Zakai, Major General (res.) Dan Biton and Major General (res.) Uzi Dayan. The defense team has already informed the court that the three will take the stand when the trial resumes in the coming days, the report says.

Elor Azaria, an Israeli soldier who killed a wounded Palestinian stabber, seen during a court hearing at a military court in Jaffa, July 26, 2016. (Flash90)

Zakai has previously expressed support for Azaria, saying that, “the reaction to the soldier who carried out the shooting in Hebron is disgraceful and hypocritical, and primarily lacking in professionalism. The hysterical reaction triggers melancholy thoughts regarding our ability to withstand pressure. There is no dispute over the fact that the soldier shot a terrorist who had already proven to his intent to do harm.”