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Elor Azaria: Israeli soldier sentenced to 18 months in jail for shooting dead wounded Palestinian attacker Elor Azaria: Israeli soldier sentenced to 18 months in jail for shooting dead wounded Palestinian attacker
(35 minutes later)
An Israel Defence Force (IDF) medic who shot a Palestinian assailant in the head when he was immobilised on the ground last year has been sentenced to a year and a half in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter by a Tel Aviv military court last month. An Israel Defence Force (IDF) medic who shot a Palestinian assailant in the head when he was immobilised on the ground last year has been sentenced to a year and a half in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter by a Tel Aviv military court last month.
The landmark ruling against the now 20-year-old Sergeant Elor Azaria marked the first time a member of the IDF had been convicted of the charge in 12 years.The landmark ruling against the now 20-year-old Sergeant Elor Azaria marked the first time a member of the IDF had been convicted of the charge in 12 years.
The prosecution had sought a sentence of between three - five years. Azaria, who was given 18 months jail time and 12 months probation for the Hebron crime on Tuesday, had asked beforehand for the judges to "show mercy" to him and his family. The prosecution had sought a sentence of between three - five years, although manslaughter carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years under Israeli law.
The medic was also demoted to Private. Azaria, who on Tuesday was given 18 months of jail time and 12 months on probation for the killing of Abdel Fattah al-Sharif, had asked beforehand for the judges to "show mercy" to him and his family. The medic was also demoted to Private.
The case has split Israeli society. There have been several fundraisers and protests in support of Azaria, and high profile calls for the young recruit to be given a pardon by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  Around 100 supporters waited outside the court, continuing to protest the guilty ruling.  "If (a Palestinian) kills an animal... he would have gotten more time," al-Sharif's father Yusri told reporters from the West Bank.
His defence team had already said they will appeal the conviction.  21-year-old al-Sharif was shot and wounded after he and an accomplice stabbed and wounded an Israeli soldier in Hebron in March last year.
As the attacker lay on the ground, Azaria, who arrived on the scene 11 minutes later, delivered a fatal blow by shooting him in the head.
The killing was captured on video and widely shared by Israeli human rights group B'Tselem. 
In a damning January verdict, Justice Maya Heller said that Azaria had been “aware” that his actions in shooting the wounded Palestinian assailant would result in loss of life, and that “the terrorist did not pose a threat.” 
The IDF recruit did not act in accordance with army protocol, the three-judge panel found, and the claim that he felt threatened because al-Sharif may have been carrying explosives or still been able to reach for his knife was not justified.
The case - and the military court's verdict - has split Israeli society. There have been several fundraisers and protests in support of the soldier, a handful of which have turned violent, as well as high profile calls for the young recruit to be given a pardon by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  
Around 100 supporters waited outside the court on Tuesday, continuing to protest the guilty ruling. 
al-Sharif's family has previously called for Azaria to receive a life sentence. 
The soldier's defence team has already said they will appeal the conviction.