TPC Staff
The Palestine Chronicle / January 5, 2025
An Israeli soldier facing war crimes charges related to the Gaza genocide has fled Brazil to avoid arrest, highlighting the growing possibility of international legal action against Israeli personnel involved in the war.
An Israeli soldier, who was under investigation in Brazil for alleged war crimes committed during the Gaza genocide, has reportedly fled the country to avoid arrest.
According to Israeli sources, the soldier, who had a warrant out for his arrest, managed to escape once he learned that Brazilian authorities were set to question him. The soldier’s family confirmed that they are in contact with him, though they have refused to disclose his current whereabouts, expressing hopes that he will soon return to Israel.
This incident follows a federal court ruling in Brazil ordering the investigation of the soldier, based on charges brought by the human rights organization, the Hind Rajab Foundation. The organization accuses the soldier of participating in the destruction of entire civilian neighbourhoods in Gaza as part of a systematic campaign aimed at creating inhumane living conditions for Palestinians.
The allegations also include accusations of genocide and crimes against humanity under international law. ‘Hind Rajab’ says to have gathered over 500 pages of evidence, including intelligence from open sources, to support these claims.
In the wake of the incident, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the situation, calling it a “massive political failure” by the Israeli government. He criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi for their handling of the matter, asking how the situation had evolved to the point where Israel’s government was less effective on the international stage than Palestinian advocacy.
Meanwhile, the Israeli organization “Mothers for Soldiers” — a group of Israeli mothers whose sons serve in the military — sent a letter to Netanyahu and Halevi, warning of the growing dangers posed by international courts.
In their message, they expressed frustration that the Israeli government had failed to take meaningful steps to protect soldiers from legal consequences abroad, despite repeated warnings about the legal risks faced by those involved in military actions in Gaza. They lamented that Israel’s failure to adopt a coherent legal and diplomatic strategy had led to a prolonged, exhausting conflict that was eroding the moral standing of the Israeli army.
The letter also highlighted the challenges faced by Israeli soldiers who, according to the mothers, are caught in a political vacuum that leaves them exposed to international prosecution without sufficient support or clear strategy from their government. They noted that this lack of guidance has contributed to the perpetuation of the conflict and emboldened extremist elements within the Israeli military.
The legal proceedings against Israeli soldiers in Brazil, which are part of an ongoing effort by international rights groups to hold Israel accountable for its genocide in Gaza, have prompted further calls for accountability at the global level. The situation is raising awareness of the potential long-term implications for Israeli military personnel as more international courts seek to examine alleged war crimes in the Strip.
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Brazil issues first-ever arrest warrant for Israeli soldier over Gaza war crimes TPC Staff
The Palestine Chronicle / January 4, 2025
Brazil’s court orders the arrest of an Israeli soldier over war crimes in Gaza, marking a key moment in the global push for accountability.
In a historic move, Brazilian authorities have issued an urgent arrest order for an Israeli soldier accused of committing war crimes during Israel’s ongoing genocidal war on Gaza. This decision follows a criminal complaint filed by the Hind Rajab Foundation, a human rights organization dedicated to seeking justice for Palestinian victims.
The Brazilian federal court acted on the complaint, accusing the soldier of participating in the destruction of entire neighbourhoods in Gaza, Ahmed Hafeez reported on Al-Jazeera.
The destruction in Gaza was perceived as part of a broader Israeli effort to impose inhumane conditions on Palestinian civilians, which constitutes genocide and crimes against humanity under international law.
The soldier, who is currently in Brazil on vacation, is said to have been involved in planting explosives and destroying civilian homes. Evidence provided by the Hind Rajab Foundation includes videos, photos, and geolocation data that directly link the soldier to these acts.
“This decision marks a breakthrough,” said Diab Abu Jahja, head of the Hind Rajab Foundation, in an interview with Al-Jazeera. He noted that, unlike previous cases where Israeli soldiers fled to Israel or other countries, this is the first time a Brazilian court has issued an arrest order for an Israeli soldier.
The case has gained significant momentum, with families whose homes were destroyed in Gaza joining as plaintiffs. They have entrusted the Hind Rajab Foundation’s legal team to represent them in their pursuit of justice, Hafeez reported.
Legal experts see the Brazilian decision as a major step in combating impunity. Riad Abu Badwia, a professor of international law, explained that Brazil, as a signatory of the Rome Statute, has the legal authority to prosecute individuals involved in war crimes, regardless of nationality.
Abu Badwia believes the decision could inspire other nations to follow suit, potentially opening the door for broader international accountability for Israeli military officials. It also comes amid growing international pressure on Israel, including a recent ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) condemning Israel for genocide in Gaza.
The Israeli assault on Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, has caused a devastating humanitarian crisis. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, at least 45,717 Palestinians have been killed, with over 108,856 wounded. The death toll continues to rise, with thousands still missing under rubble.
Nearly two million people have been displaced, with most seeking refuge in the overcrowded south. The population remains trapped, facing severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.
Israel is facing genocide charges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), drawing widespread international condemnation for its actions. In addition, two Israeli leaders—Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant—are wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for their role in the systematic extermination of Palestinians in Gaza.