Brazilian Judge orders action against Israeli war criminal on holiday there

A Brazilian judge has ordered local police to take action against an Israeli soldier suspected of war crimes who is currently on holiday in Brazil, in response to a request by the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF). The court issued the urgent order after the HRF called for the man’s immediate arrest to end any flight risk and to prevent the destruction of evidence. In recent cases, Israeli soldiers have fled Cyprus, Sri Lanka and Thailand to avoid arrest, after warnings from Israeli authorities and intelligence services. Israeli soldiers have frequently used social media to boast about and post footage of their crimes in Gaza.

The Federal Court of the Federal District accepted the Federal Prosecutor’s argument, the first time that national authorities have taken action to hold members of the Israeli military accountable for crimes committed in Gaza.

The HRF’s has accused the suspect of involvement in the mass demolition of civilian homes in Gaza as part of Israel’s systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing and genocide. The HRF said:

These acts are part of a broader effort to impose unbearable living conditions on Palestinian civilians, constituting genocide and crimes against humanity under international law.

The evidence presented includes video footage, geolocation data, and photographs showing the suspect personally planting explosives and participating in the destruction of entire neighborhoods. These materials prove beyond doubt the suspect’s direct involvement in these heinous acts.

Maira Pinheiro, HRF’s lead lawyer on the case, added:

This is not a case of distant command. This individual actively contributed to the destruction of homes and livelihoods, and his own statements and behavior clearly align with the genocidal objectives in Gaza.

Palestinian families whose homes were destroyed have joined the case as complainants and have given power of attorney to the HRF’s legal team to pursue the case on on their behalf. HRF chair Dyab Abou Jahjah said:

“The plaintiffs are fighting for justice through lawful means. This case is about seeking accountability and restoring dignity to those whose lives have been torn apart.

The HRF has called for the immediate arrest of the suspect, stressing the significant risks of flight and potential destruction of evidence, particularly in light of recent suspected war criminals fleeing holiday destinations after warnings from Israel’s authorities.

The Federal Court, citing Article 88 of the Brazilian Code of Criminal Procedure, has directed the Federal Police to urgently carry out the investigative measures requested by the Prosecutor. HRF said that the court order is a landmark in international law as the first example of a signatory state to the Rome Statute directly enforcing its provisions without relying on the International Criminal Court (ICC). Abou Jahjah again:

This is a historic moment. It sets a powerful precedent for nations to take bold action in holding perpetrators of war crimes accountable. The Hind Rajab Foundation commends the plaintiffs’ bravery and the Brazilian judiciary’s decisive action. This case is a milestone in the global pursuit of justice and accountability.

The Hind Rajab Foundation is a branch of the March 30 Movement  and is dedicated to the quest for justice in response to the crimes against humanity, war crimes and human rights violations perpetrated by the Israeli state against Palestinians. It was established during the ongoing Gaza genocide in honour of the memory of Hind Rajab, the 6yo Palestinian girl killed, along with her family, when an Israeli tank fired more than 350 machine-gun bullets into their stranded car. Hind’s case broke the hearts of millions after a recording emerged of her final conversation with an emergency services operator. Two paramedics despatched to try to help Hind were also murdered by the tank crew.

More than 200,000 people, overwhelmingly civilians and mostly women and children, have been murdered by Israel during the genocide so far. Two million more are being systematically starved, especially in northern Gaza, even as the bombing and forced transfers continue. In stark contrast to the Brazilian case, the UK government of Keir Starmer remains deeply complicit in Israel’s crimes, supplying military and logistical support and refusing even to mention Israel’s daily atrocities.

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