How Israeli soldiers abroad are facing arrest for war crimes in Gaza
In-depth: The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) is using photos and videos posted by Israeli soldiers in Gaza to build a growing body of evidence of alleged war crimes
Israeli soldiers are facing the growing risk of being arrested abroad for alleged war crimes committed in Gaza, with around 50 criminal complaints filed so far in courts around the world
A week ago, a former Israeli soldier hastily ended his holiday in Brazil after the country’s Federal Court ordered police to open a war crimes investigation against him The man subsequently fled to Argentina
A complaint lodged by the Belgium-based Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) included over 500 pages of court records linking the suspect to the demolition of civilian homes in Gaza
The group called the Brazilian court’s decision “historic” saying it marked a significant precedent for a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to enforce Rome Statute provisions domestically, in the 15-month Israeli war on Gaza
The incident sparked a political uproar in Israel, with the foreign ministry reportedly helping the ex-combatant leave Brazil and condemning “anti-Israel elements” who were pushing for his arrest
The ministry also warned its nationals against posting details of their military service on social media
Throughout the war, Israeli soldiers have shared videos from Gaza showing them, 1. searching homes 2. destroying residential buildings 3. chanting racist slogans 4. and openly boasting about committing what appear to be war crimes
