Appeals court upholds 18-month sentence for Elor Azaria

Shortly after upholding Elor Azaria’s manslaughter conviction, the military appeals court upholds the 18-month sentence, rejecting the appeal of the prosecution.

“It is unfortunate that such an excelling soldier committed such a terrible error,” the court says as it explains its thinking on the sentence.

“This is a normative family. The appellant has suffered emotional distress since the incident. But these facts can’t have a significant influence on the sentence,” the court says, rejecting arguments by the defense for lowering the sentence.

“The punishment is modest,” the court says, even noting it is “on the lower edge of available sentences.”

The court lays out some “circumstances” of the case. To Azaria’s detriment: the fact that he “decided to question the character of nearly everyone who questioned his character, and never expressed remorse or questioned his actions.” To his benefit: “He was under arrest a long time, and under house arrest. His behavior was good throughout. He was a devoted and excelling warrior until the incident.”

In the end, in a three-to-two decision, the court upholds the 18-month sentence, to begin when Azaria enters prison.