Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has asked President Isaac Herzog to pardon former soldier Elor Azaria and erase his criminal record. Azaria was convicted of manslaughter in 2017 for fatally shooting Abdel Fattah al-Sharif in Hebron while the Palestinian lay wounded and motionless on the ground after an alleged stabbing attempt. He received an 18-month sentence but was released after serving 14 months. Katz argued that Azaria had already paid a heavy price and that the conviction sends a negative message to Israeli soldiers serving in combat.