IDF chief commutes Hebron soldier’s jail sentence by four months

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gady Eisenkott announced Wednesday his decision to reduce Elor Azaria’s jail term from eighteen to fourteen months. Azaria’s conviction of manslaughter for killing an injured Palestinian terrorist in Hebron in 2016 raised a high popular outcry. Eisenkott reiterated in his decision that the soldier’s conduct was unacceptable and in contravention of IDF directives and values. He also noted that Azaria had refused to admit culpability for his action or express remorse. The chief of staff was nonetheless moved to reduce the soldier’s sentence as an act of mercy and in consideration of his past combat performance on the battlefield.