The family of soldier Elor Azariya said, Sunday evening, "We received with disappointment and regret President Rivlin's decision," to reject Elor's application for a pardon from his manslaughter conviction in the death of a wounded terrorist.
The family said, "The president could put an end to the terrible agony the family is going through, put an end to the debate that is tearing the people and end the unnecessary imprisonment of our Elor." The family also took Rivlin to task for informing the media before informing them directly. The Azariya statement concluded, "The family will continue to work to bring about Elor's release from prison with determination and disappointment from the president's insensitivity."