A former Israeli soldier was forced to flee Brazil after a case was brought against him alleging he was responsible for war crimes while serving in Gaza. The case is the latest in a series of lawsuits brought by the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), which has tracked the activities of hundreds of Israeli soldiers serving in Gaza.
The case was brought against the soldier by the HRF, a pro-Palestinian NGO, which alleges that the soldier participated in the demolition of civilian homes in Gaza during a systematic campaign of destruction. A Brazilian judge ordered police to investigate, citing the country’s obligation to investigate crimes against humanity and war crimes, as it is a signatory to the Rome Statute.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry responded by saying that they had ensured the soldier’s swift and safe departure from Brazil, and warned Israeli citizens to avoid making public statements about their military service, as they may be targeted by anti-Israeli elements.
The case has sparked a political furor in Israel, with the leader of the opposition, Yair Lapid, saying the government was incapable of functioning, while the Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, accused the opposition of being part of a “systematic and anti-Semitic campaign” aimed at denying Israel’s right to self-defense.
Other Israeli politicians and military officials have expressed concern about the growing number of attempts to bring charges against Israeli soldiers, with one former senior officer saying that activist groups were targeting ordinary soldiers, not just high-ranking officials. The Israeli Foreign Affairs and Security Committee will discuss the issue on Monday.