Prosecutor, defence lawyer on jailing of Israeli soldier

(21 Feb 2017) AGENCY POOL
Tel Aviv - 21 February 2017
1. Security outside courtroom
2. Cameraman
3. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Nadav Weisman, military prosecutor:
"The sentencing today sends an important message to all the soldiers and commanders in the army. As for the values of the military and the importance of protecting the purity of arms, it is clear to us that it is not an easy day for the defendent and his family but justice had to be done and justice was done. And this process had to happen given the circumstances of the incident and we are finishing the sentence today with a feeling that an important message was conveyed."
4. Entrance to courtroom
5. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Yoram Sheftel, defence attorney:
"Throughout the whole sentence, based on the appearances, words and overall behaviour of the prosecution, we claimed that they were thirsty for the blood of Elor (Sergeant Elor Azaria). In practice, the honourable court also ruled that today by sentencing Elor to half of the minimal sentence the prosecutor demanded and there is nothing like this fact to show how much the prosecution throughout this whole process was thirsty for Elor's blood."
6. Security and media outside entrance to courtroom
7. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Eli Katz, defence attorney:
"Why are we appealing? We are appealing because as far as we are concerned, the conviction for the offence of manslaughter is more serious than any punishment that Elor received or may have received."
8. Attornies leaving
9. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Oren Hazen, Knesset member:
"I will say it simply any day that Elor Azaria sits behind bars is an ugly black stain on the Israeli Defence forces, an ugly black stain on the Judicial system. I'm very sad that the judges did not open their eyes, did not look at the whole picture, and did not understand that they should listen to the feelings and to the difficult circumstances and to the day to day challenges against a cruel enemy."
10. Pan from lectern to entrance to courtroom
An Israeli military court on Tuesday sentenced a soldier to 18 months in prison for his deadly shooting of a Palestinian attacker who lay wounded on the ground, capping a nearly year-long saga that has deeply divided the country.
The sentence, which included a year's probation and a demotion in rank, was lighter than expected - prosecutors had asked for a prison term of three to five years.
Yet it still triggered disappointment from protesters who had gathered outside the Tel Aviv court and had hoped to see the soldier walk free.
Politicians immediately called for Sergeant Elor Azaria to be pardoned.
The Palestinians, meanwhile, said the light sentencing only encouraged Israeli soldiers to use excessive force.
Azaria was convicted of manslaughter last month in a rare case of a military court ruling against a combat soldier for lethal action taken in the field.
Azaria's defenders said he shot the assailant in self-defence, and hard-line politicians have said he should be either cleared or released with a light penalty.
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[@lucaazeri1700]

Sheftel is the shame of the nation .

[@brucebalsillie8451]

Yes I agree, sick sick people!

[@brucebalsillie8451]

This guy is an opportunist

[@erasmeplus4380]

Why isn't there any subtitle??