Jerusalem: An Israeli military court on Sunday upheld the 18-month sentence of a soldier convicted of fatally shooting a Palestinian attacker who lay on the ground wounded after stabbing and wounding another soldier, in a case that divided the country where military service is mandatory.
Sgt Elor Azaria, an army combat medic, was recorded on a cellphone video as he fatally shot a badly-wounded Palestinian who had previously attacked a soldier with a knife, wounding him. The Palestinian, Abdel Fattah Al Sharif, was lying on the ground unarmed when Azaria shot him in the head.
The 2016 incident occurred in the West Bank city of Hebron.
Israel's top generals pushed for the prosecution of the soldier they say violated the military's code of ethics they hold dear.
Israeli media at the court reported judges called Azaria's actions "forbidden and immoral". It reported he will enter prison on August 9, unless there is another appeal.
Israel's Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman issued a statement urging the soldier's family not to continue appealing. "It's a difficult day," he said adding the ruling must be respected.
Human Rights Watch welcomed the court decision. "Upholding the conviction of a soldier convicted of fatally shooting a man who posed no threat sends an important message about restrictions on lethal use of force," said Sari Bashi, the Israel and Palestine advocacy director at Human Rights Watch.