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After U.S. Sanctions IDF Soldier over 2016 Incident, Former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz Slams Interference with the Israeli Justice System
(Times of Israel) Jacob Magid - Former Israeli Defense Minister and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz, who heads the National Unity party and served in Israel's War Cabinet, slammed the U.S. announcement on Wednesday of sanctions against former IDF Sgt. Elor Azaria over a 2016 incident as "interference" with the Israeli justice system. Azaria was convicted by a military court of killing an already-subdued Palestinian attacker who had stabbed an Israeli soldier in Hebron, and served nine months in prison. "The State of Israel has an independent, robust judicial system that is both capable and willing to punish under Israeli law. There is no reason why the U.S. State Department should impose sanctions against Israeli civilians," Gantz tweeted. "Such is the case with Elor Azaria that was investigated, tried in court, convicted while serving in the IDF and ultimately held accountable, like in other cases. I want to convey to our American friends - there is no justification to interfere in Israel's internal legal processes."