President Isaac Herzog explained his decision to expunge the criminal record of Elor Azaria, contrary to the IDF Chief of Staff's position. The President's Office stated: "The President's decision is based on the spirit of the Days of Mercy and Forgiveness in the people of Israel; the significant period of time that has passed since the incident; the fact that he served the sentence imposed on him; the statute of limitations on the offenses he committed has long since expired; his personal and family circumstances that have changed over the years; his desire to remove the barriers currently standing in his way in the field of employment and to turn a new page in his life."