Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said that the Hind Rajab Foundation claims that it has submitted arrest requests for a thousand Israeli soldiers with dual citizenship in 8 countries, without announcing their names so that they are not wary of arrest, including a soldier in Brazil whose case made headlines on Sunday.
The newspaper explained – in a report written by Itamar Eichner and Roy Rubinstein – that the actions of this institution highlight the increasing global legal threats facing Israeli army soldiers, which prompted Israel to respond quickly, as an Israeli soldier was quickly evacuated from Brazil after the Hind Rajab Foundation began legal procedures. Against him, on suspicion of committing war crimes.
Participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Hind Rajab Foundation, which targeted Israeli army soldiers abroad, avoided naming the soldier to prevent the Israeli authorities from warning him, but Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and senior officials made a coordinated effort with the army to identify him, and within hours the consulate contacted him and his family, stressing the need for his immediate exit. .
The soldier, who was traveling in a small group, was flown out of Brazil early the next morning because the organization’s efforts raised concerns about his legal exposure, even though no arrest warrant had been issued against him, he had not been formally charged and no restrictions were placed on his exit.
The soldier and some of his comrades were transferred to another country, and Israeli officials emphasized the importance of avoiding unnecessary risks in such situations, and urged military personnel to be careful when posting on social media, as it could lead to legal complications abroad.
Hind Rajab Foundation
The Hind Rajab Foundation was founded last February by Palestinian activists in Brussels, and was named after a Palestinian girl killed by the Israeli army in Gaza in January 2023. It is affiliated with the broader “March 30” movement, and its mission is to seek justice for war crimes. committed by Israel against the Palestinians.
The group changed its tactics – according to the newspaper – and avoided publishing the names of the targeted soldiers to increase the chances of taking successful legal measures against them. Recent reports issued by it say that it collected information about more than a thousand Israeli soldiers of dual nationality who participated in the Gaza war, and arrest requests were submitted against them in 8 countries. , including Spain, Ireland and South Africa.
The foundation’s leaders include Diab Abu Jahja and Karim Hassoun, both of whom reside in Belgium. Hassoun has consistently refused to recognize Israel, calling it a “colonial and racist state.” In the wake of the October 7 attack, Hassoun wrote, “The Palestinians are not invading Israel. They are.” “They return home and get their property back.”
The newspaper concluded that the recent actions taken by the Hind Rajab Foundation emphasize the growing challenge facing Israel, with the escalation of legal threats against members of its army around the world, noting that this case serves as a stark reminder of the risks that Israeli soldiers face abroad.