The NGO holding Israeli soldiers to account
Israeli officials are concerned about their soldiers being arrested for alleged war crimes in Gaza after a soldier had to flee Brazil to avoid being questioned over his conduct in the Palestinian enclave.
The Belgium-based Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) is the force behind this international effort for accountability.
Formed just five months ago, HRF has pulled together lawyers and activists from around the world to prepare cases, primarily based on social media content shared by Israeli soldiers themselves.
Israeli reservist Yuval Vagdani was among the first of what HRF founder and Chair Dyab Abou Jahjah says will be many soldiers accused of war crimes.
Speaking to the Israeli media on Wednesday after being “forced” to cut his “dream trip” to Brazil short, Vagdani said finding himself subject to an overseas war crimes investigation after having filmed himself blowing up people’s homes in Gaza “felt a little like a bullet in the heart”.
Israeli reservist Yuval Vagdani in Gaza
According to local media, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had played a critical role in helping Vagdani evade investigation and potential prosecution for war crimes, first arranging for him to be smuggled into Argentina, and from there to the United States, before eventually leaving for Israel.
Israeli authorities and media have issued guidelines to soldiers on evading arrest overseas and camouflaging their identities while on deployment.
Go after these newly imported soldiers as well.
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