Israeli Soldier Who Shot Palestinian Pleads Not Guilty

Elor Azaria, who was charged with manslaughter after he shot dead an already neutralized Palestinian assailant, pleaded not guilty to a charge of manslaughter. His lawyers said “the defendant acted in a fraction of a second to neutralize the terrorist to prevent an attack on himself and his friends who were standing close to the terrorist. He did not see any other way to save their lives or his own.” The lawyers said Azaria believed that the attacker who was lying on the ground intended to detonate the explosive belt on his body. The incident has sparked controversy both within Israel and abroad. Some have said that Azaria had no need to shoot the Palestinian and should go to jail, while others, including incoming Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, have defended him.