The family of Elor Azariya visited the Knesset Wednesday morning, urging lawmakers to help secure their son’s release from prison.
In March 2016, then Sergeant Azariya shot and killed a wounded Arab terrorist in Hevron minutes after a terror attack that left one IDF soldier wounded. In January, Azariya was convicted of manslaughter, and in February and army court sentenced him to 18 months in jail.
Elor’s father, Charlie Azariya, met with Knesset Members during the visit, handing them copies of a letter requesting their assistance.
“They’ve turned us into enemies of the state,” Charlie Azariya told reporters outside of the Knesset. “That’s wrong – we love the people, the state, and the land.”
Charlie Azariya compared his family’s tribulations since the investigation of their son began last March with the Prime Minister’s own legal woes, saying he could identify with Netanyahu’s frustration with the media.
“The media made us into caricatures,” said Charlie Azariya. “Today I feel exactly what the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Netanyahu, feels. The same way they degrade him and his wife, they’ve made us out to be enemies of the people and it’s just not true.”
“I want all of the bleeding hearts in the media who are smearing my son to understand something: you’re an embarrassment. Because while they were at home with their wives, by son was guarding [them], like all the other heroic IDF soldiers.”
Regarding the appeal filed challenging Elor’s 18-month jail sentence, Charlie Azariya said the family planned to see the appeal through to the end, but would drop the move if there was some political intervention on Elor’s behalf.
“At the moment we’re sticking with the appeal, following the recommendations of our attorneys, and we will continue with it unless someone from the [political] leadership intervenes.”
The soldier’s parents also met with President Reuven Rivlin during Wednesday’s visit.