Ministers, but not Liberman, urge pardon for Azaria

Though he publicly supported IDF soldier Elor Azaria before assuming the post of defense minister, Avigdor Liberman offers a tempered response to the manslaughter conviction of the IDF soldier.

This is a “difficult verdict, but must be respected,” says Liberman.

The defense minister also calls for “restraint” and condemns any comments against IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot. “We must hold the army above all political debates,” he says.

Other ministers, however, are calling for a presidential pardon for Azaria.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett urges an “immediate” pardon, while Culture Minister Miri Regev says she will bring up the issue with President Reuven Rivlin. Interior Minister Aryeh Deri also says the president should let Azaria off.