Israeli soldier convicted of manslaughter, PM calls for pardon

An Israeli soldier was on Wednesday convicted of manslaughter for shooting dead an injured Palestinian. 

Sergeant Elor Azaria was found guilty by a three judge panel in a military court in Tel Aviv and will be sentenced on Sunday. 

The incident, which was captured on film by a Palestinian human rights activist, took place in Hebron, in the occupied West Bank on March 24. 

The case has sparked protests in Israeli, with many Israelis demonstrating against the conviction. 

Responding to the verdict on his Facebook page, the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said "I support giving Elor Azaria a pardon."

"This is a difficult and painful day for all of us - and first and foremost for Elor and his family, soldiers and for the parents of our soldiers, and me among them."

The defence minister, Avigdor Lieberman, called on the public to respect the court's decision. 

See here and here for more. 

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