From the Liveblog of
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Elor Azaria thanks supporters in first public statement
Elor Azaria, days before starting his 18-month prison sentence for the shooting death of a Palestinian assailant in Hebron in March 2016, delivers his first public statement via a Facebook live broadcast.
I believe I could still be found innocent [in a Supreme Court appeal], but my family and I have suffered terribly for the past year and a half.
The ordeal cost my parents their health.
I want to return to routine as soon as possible. So I’m going to prison to serve out the punishment I was given, and won’t appeal to the Supreme Court.
Earlier today I appealed to the chief of staff asking that he reduce my sentence. I hope he responds affirmatively.
He turns to viewers, and continues:
I feel a powerful need to thank you. You stood by me and my family. You gave financial help for my defense, and I received from you infinite love and support. I don’t take that for granted.
Thank you, people of Israel. I love you.
I want to deliver a message to the youth. We have one country, let’s protect it.
I don’t want to think about the possibility that your motivation was harmed by my case. That must not happen. Go to combat [units]. Volunteer. Give as much as you can, for the nation and the country. We have no other country.
He addresses the March 2016 incident itself.
I promise you that I acted out of a sense of immediate danger at the scene of the attack. But the court gave its ruling, and we live in a nation of laws. So I’m going to serve the prison sentence handed down, in the hope that it will be reduced.
It’s important to me to emphasize: I grew up in an ethical and moral home. If I’d known the terrorist didn’t have a bomb, I wouldn’t have opened fire. The lives of the warriors around me and my own life were my consideration at the scene.
At the end of the day, I’m going to prison with my head held high.
I love this country with all my heart, I love the army, I love you, and again thank you with all my heart for everything you have done for me.
Thank you for everything.
The Times of Israel Community.