Israel says no foreign court has issued a warrant against the reservists
Israel said on Tuesday that pressure groups were pushing foreign courts to take action against Israelis for alleged war crimes in Gaza, but called the actions “propaganda activities”. No warrant was issued, he said.
International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant In November, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant were indicted for alleged war crimes in Gaza, as well as Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, for his alleged role in planning the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
The orders sparked outrage in Israel, but also raised fears that similar warrants could be issued to Israelis serving in the military in Gaza.
An Israeli reservist on vacation in Brazil left the country on Sunday after a Brazilian federal judge in El Salvador ordered police to open an investigation into allegations he committed war crimes while serving with soldiers in Gaza.
The Hindu Rajab Foundation, a pro-Palestinian organization behind the action, says on its website that it is “focusing on offensive legal action against perpetrators, accomplices and instigators of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Palestine.” He said he filed the complaint based on video footage, geolocation data and photographs showing reservists participating in the demolition of civilian homes.
The Belgium-based band is named after a six-year-old boy Palestinian girl It said it has also submitted evidence to the ICC of alleged war crimes against 1,000 Israelis killed in Gaza last year, including video and audio reports, forensic reports and other documents. The ICC confirmed that it had received the application and said it would “analyze the materials submitted as appropriate”.
The issue is not widely publicized: Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has offered to help the reservist selected by the campaign, but officials say the issue is not widespread.
Foreign Ministry Director General Eden Bar Tal told reporters in Jerusalem that there have not been 10-12 incidents since the start of Israel’s campaign in Gaza 15 months ago: “This is a very limited phenomenon in terms of numbers.”
“There were no warrants issued in any of these cases. I have to say, it was a relatively strong PR activity, but very low, very, very low – zero in court results.
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif, all accused of war crimes. The court has no power to arrest or execute warrants.
“We believe that this is a propaganda operation in general, and that it is funded by entities that have direct ties to terrorist organizations, a very small number of entities.”
Dyab Abou Jahjah, founder of the Indian Rajab Foundation, posted messages on social media platform X promising to file a lawsuit against Israeli soldiers and asking for help in identifying them.
The group did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Complaints were made abroad against IDF soldiers
The incident in Brazil has attracted widespread attention in Israel, underscoring fears that those outside the government and military leadership can be drawn into the issue of war crimes, particularly through social media posts.
According to documents published by Israeli media, the Israeli army has warned its reservists that they may be arrested abroad for allegedly committing war crimes in Gaza. Haaretz reported that complaints against IDF soldiers were made in South Africa, Belgium and France, as well as in Brazil.
However, Rubens Becak, a law professor at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, said it is not always easy for third countries to respond to such claims.
“Without specific legislation, it becomes very difficult for agencies like (Brazil’s Federal Police) to act in cases like this.”
English