Israeli soldier on trial in killing of Palestinian
TEL AVIV — An Israeli soldier went on trial for manslaughter before a military court on Monday after he was recorded on video fatally shooting a wounded Palestinian attacker in the West Bank two months ago.
[...] a video released later by the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem showed one of the attackers still alive after the initial shooting and Azaria firing at his head.
The incident took place amid months of Palestinian attacks that have killed and wounded scores of Israeli security forces and civilians.
Palestinians have accused Israel of using excessive force against attackers who have already been halted or wounded, and in some cases, of killing innocent civilians.
Activists have released a handful of amateur videos supporting the Palestinian claims, but the Hebron shooting is perhaps the strongest evidence of Israeli wrongdoing so far.
A March poll by Channel 2 TV found that 57 percent of the Israeli public opposed prosecuting the soldier, while 68 percent said that criticism of the soldier by the military chief and defense minister was not justified.