 They also claimed that an unnamed senior military official who was quoted by Channel 10 News as saying that Azaria would be convicted, was the Military Advocate General who was trying to influence the decision of the judges.The IDF Spokesperson's Unit rejected these accusations as baseless and incorrect while military officials stated that the Military Advocate General Sharon Afek had never made any such comments.Human Rights Watch blamed Israeli officials for the incident on 2 January, stating that they encouraged soldiers and police officers to kill Palestinians they suspect of attacking Israelis even when they aren't a threat any longer.