New Delhi: The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), a pro-Palestinian organisation, has made it difficult for Israeli soldiers to travel, targeting Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers vacationing worldwide by approaching the governments of the country and urging them to take action against the soldiers allegedly involved in war crimes in Gaza.
In a recent case, an IDF soldier was quickly evacuated from Brazil after the Belgium-based foundation filed legal actions against him. In response, Israel’s Foreign Ministry took swift action, collaborating with the IDF to locate and remove the soldier from the potential legal threat.
The HRF, known for its targeted actions against IDF soldiers in various countries, strategically avoided naming the soldier in its legal filing, making it difficult for Israeli authorities to issue a proactive warning. This incident follows similar targeting attempts by the HRF in the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates
However, upon learning of the proceedings, the Israeli Foreign Ministry, led by Minister Gideon Sa’ar, swung into action. In a coordinated effort with the IDF, the soldier was identified within hours. Consular officials made urgent contact, emphasizing the need for immediate evacuation to mitigate potential legal risks.
The HRF’s legal actions directly target Israeli soldiers, representing a significant shift in the methods used to challenge Israeli actions internationally. This calculated approach allows them to leverage existing legal frameworks in various countries to pursue their objectives.
While the Israeli government has demonstrated a commitment to protect its citizens from such campaigns, the incidents of targeting the IDF soldiers in a foreign land remain a serious concern for the Netanyahu government.
The preemptive action underscores the growing threat faced by IDF personnel abroad from organisations employing legal tactics to target them for alleged actions in conflict zones.
Israeli authorities have stressed the importance of caution, particularly regarding social media use, emphasising that public postings can inadvertently provide the HRF with information useful in their targeting efforts.
The HRF’s tactics involve meticulous information gathering, reportedly using social media to track the movements of IDF soldiers and compiling evidence related to alleged war crimes in Gaza.
The organization claims to possess nearly 8,000 pieces of evidence, including photographs, concerning various alleged offences. In a significant escalation, the HRF submitted a request to the International Criminal Court in November for arrest warrants for approximately 1,000 IDF soldiers allegedly involved in the Gaza conflict, leading to arrest requests filed in at least eight countries, including Spain, Ireland, and South Africa.
The HRF’s founder, Dyab Abou Jahjah, a Lebanese-born activist with a long history of anti-Israel activism and alleged ties to Hezbollah, is central to the organisation’s activities, according to the NGO Monitor.
This escalation of legal threats against IDF personnel worldwide is fueled by increasingly vocal anti-Israel sentiment, as evidenced by the stance of figures like Yasser Hassoun, chairman of the Arab European League.
Named after a six-year-old Palestinian girl allegedly killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in January 2023, the HRF, established in Brussels by Palestinian activists in February, is affiliated with the “March 30” movement and claims to seek justice for alleged Israeli war crimes.
The HRF’s leadership is composed of notable figures with a history of anti-Israel activism. Diab Abu Jahjah, a long-time Hezbollah supporter, described the September 11th attacks as “sweet revenge” in a 2003 New York Times interview. He also founded the Arab League in Europe and maintains a strong online presence, regularly posting statements against Israel.
Karim Hassoun, chairman of the Arab European League since 2005, shares a similar stance, consistently refusing to recognise Israel and labelling it a “colonialist and racist state.” Following the October 7th Hamas attack, Hassoun controversially characterised Palestinian actions as a “return home” and reclamation of property. Hassoun wrote: “The Palestinians are not invading Israel; they are returning home and reclaiming their property.”
This method of targeting IDF soldiers through existing legal systems of various countries places a huge burden on Israel’s diplomatic efforts and capacity to protect its IDF soldiers allegedly involved in war crimes vacationing abroad.
