Gantz slams US for sanctioning Elor Azaria: ‘No justification to interfere in Israel’s internal legal processes’

Opposition MK Benny Gantz slams the US for imposing sanctions on former IDF Sgt. Elor Azaria who in 2016 shot dead an incapacitated Palestinian attacker in the West Bank city of Hebron.

Gantz says there is no need for the US to impose sanctions on Israeli citizens and interfere in the Israeli judicial system.

“The State of Israel has an independent, robust judicial system that is both capable and willing to punish under Israeli law. There is no reason why the US State Department should impose sanctions against Israeli civilians,” Gantz writes in a post on X.

“Such is the case with Elor Azaria that was investigated, tried in court, convicted while serving in the IDF and ultimately held accountable, like in other cases,” Gantz says. “I want to convey to our American friends – there is no justification to interfere in Israel’s internal legal processes.”

Azaria, who was sentenced to 18 months in prison but only served nine months, will be “generally” barred from entry into the US along with his immediate family members, the State Department said in a statement.