BREAKING NEWS

Israeli political reactions roll in ahead of Hebron shooter verdict

Israeli politicians began issuing reactions to the impending verdict in the case of IDF Sgt. Elor Azaria, 20, shortly after noon Wednesday although an official ruling had not yet been issued in the case of the March 2016 shooting of an incapacitated Palestinian attacker in Hebron.
On the political Right, Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev (Likud) said she would push for Azaria to be pardoned if he is found guilty, adding that the soldier should not have faced criminal proceedings in the first place.
Some two hours after a decision in the case was due, Regev added that a potential manslaughter conviction would send the message to Israeli soldiers that they have been abandoned.
MK Erel Margalit from the center-left Zionist Union faction accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of using so-called dog whistles in coded criticism of the IDF. Also from the Zionist Union, MK Nachman Shai said the IDF would continue on it "moral path" if Azaria is convicted.