The Sept. 27 decision by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen Gadi Eizenkot to reduce the sentence of the Hebron shooter Elor Azaria by four months was an anticlimactic ending to one of the most turbulent affairs in the 50-year history of Israel's occupation of the West Bank.

It was more than just the harsh news surrounding the terrorist attack in Har Adar on Sept. 26 and the political uproar surrounding a Sept. 27 public event that marked 50 years of settlement in the West Bank that pushed the latest news about Eizenkot's decision from the headlines. More important was the balanced decision, which was made after many long, in-depth discussions, both within the military and with external legal advisers. This put an end to the Azaria saga.

On Jan. 4, Azaria was convicted of manslaughter in the killing of a wounded Palestinian assailant in Hebron. Azaria was sent to prison Aug. 9 to serve an 18-month sentence, after his appeal was rejected. At the time, the court ruled that Azaria acted contrary to the values of the State of Israel and the IDF, and that "his action was severe and immoral. He took no responsibility for what he did, nor did he show any remorse." Yet even the harsh language with which his appeal was rejected was not enough to cause Azaria to express an inkling of regret. Instead, he declared that he would go to prison with his head held high.

A letter signed by the IDF deputy chief of staff, informing Azaria that his sentence had been reduced, emphasized that this in no way diminished the severity of his action, which was proscribed and contrary to the orders and values of the IDF. Nor did it diminish "the important message expressed throughout, in the position of the military command and the court's ruling, which rejected your severe actions."