Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that he submitted an official pardon request to President Isaac Herzog to expunge Elor Azaria's criminal record. In his letter to the president, he argued: "It is unreasonable that a decade later, a distinguished fighter who was convicted of an offense committed during his operational service should continue to pay a heavy price. This sends a negative message to our sons and daughters who are sent to face danger and serve in combat units and dangerous places. There is room to allow Elor to rehabilitate and start a new life." The letter also stated that Elor served his full prison sentence back in 2018. According to Katz, the statute of limitations prescribed by law has already passed, and today the request is merely to shorten the period for expunging the criminal record.