Belgian prosecutors referred a complaint against war crimes against two Israeli soldiers to the International Criminal Court (ICC), following allegations that they participated in atrocities in Gaza.
The Hind Rajab Foundation, which filed the complaint alongside the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), confirmed that the Belgian federal prosecutor had decided to transmit the case to the CPI. The Foundation said that the decision had been made in accordance with the obligations of Belgium under international law.
“The International Criminal Court is currently investing in any serious violations of humanitarian law in the Palestinian territories,” said the office of the federal prosecutor, according to the Belga news agency in Belgie.
The complaint focuses on two Israeli soldiers, allegedly members of the Givati brigade. They were seen to shake the flag of their military unit during the performance of an Israeli DJ at Tomorrowland Music Festival in Belgium.
Following the complaint, the Belgian police were responsible for identifying, arrested and questioning the two soldiers, before being released later.
The legal group put pressure for a stronger action
The Hind Rajab Foundation, based in Belgium, bears the name of a six -year -old Palestinian daughter killed by Israeli fires in Gaza City earlier in the war. Since its training in 2023, the group has filed dozens of complaints in more than 10 countries targeting Israeli military staff.
While the foundation welcomed the reference to the ICC with “prudent encouragement”, it criticized the Belgian authorities for not having taken stronger measures.
“In our opinion, the suspects should not only have been arrested, but also detained and prosecuted in Belgium or extradited to the ICC,” the foundation said in a press release.
“The liberation of individuals accused in a credible manner of war crimes and crimes against humanity undermines not only public confidence in justice,” added the group, “but the risks strengthening a feeling of impunity and can allow people to commit other atrocities.”
The Foundation described the reference “a strategic pivot at the international level”, and urged the ICC to act quickly.
“Each day of inaction by international institutions is a day of continuous and inexplicability suffering,” he said. “Whether it is clear: this case establishes a legal and moral precedent. Israeli military staff, no matter where they travel, are not out of the reach of justice. ”
Israel invokes a Belgian diplomat
On Tuesday, the Israeli government would have summoned a Belgian diplomat to protest against arrests.
The row between the two nations comes in the midst of increasing international concerns concerning the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and the War in the course of Israel against the Palestinian people.
Earlier Wednesday, Belgium announced that it would send a military plane with food and medical supplies intended for Gaza in Jordan, while the country also joined 27 others in the signing of a statement calling for an immediate cease-fire.
However, Belgium itself faces legal pressure for pretending to have failed to act against Israeli crimes in Gaza.
On July 7, the Belgian state was officially summoned to appear before the Francophone Court of First Instance in Brussels, where applicants accused the country of inaction and did not comply with its international obligations.
They allege that Belgium should take urgent measures, in particular the ban on arms transport to Israel via Belgian territory, trade with Israeli establishments, the suspension of the EU-Israel agreement, the assets freezing of Israeli leaders and the end of institutional cooperation with Israel.