Israel Police object to giving Elor Azaria a gun permit because of his much publicized 2016 use of a gun to shoot and kill an already neutralized terrorist in Hebron, Ynet reported Tuesday.
Azaria, who submitted an official gun permit request to the Ministry of Public Security following his release from the army, was rejected by police on the grounds that his actions as a soldier proved he is dangerous to the public.
Relying on Azaria’s martial court conviction, the police argued that “the personal data of the applicant do not meet the criteria that allow the carrying of firearms through a specific police recommendation.” Citing the language of the Azaria verdict, Police insisted that in view of an examination of Azaria’s military past, his request is not approved because his actions “constitute a danger to the public welfare.”
A few months ago, MK Nava Boker (Likud) requested the state to permit Azaria to carry a weapon because he was receiving threats and his life was in danger. But a police intelligence investigation did not find any security threat to Azaria from anyone.
Attorney Binyamin Malka, who represented Azaria in court, said the police were “too strict with Elor. This is a person who paid his debt to society. The police must examine whether he does or does not pose a concrete threat. This should be the only parameter that must be taken into consideration regarding gun permits.”