Israeli soldier flees Brazil for Argentina to evade arrest over Gaza war crimes
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An Israeli soldier accused of committing human rights violations during the Gaza war fled from Brazil to Argentina while on vacation, after a Brazilian court, acting on a plea from the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), ordered an investigation into the allegations, prompting him to evade arrest.
The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) focuses on pursuing legal action against alleged Israeli human rights violations in Palestine. Federal Judge Raquel Soares Charelli issued the court order during a special session on December 30.
The HRF accuses the soldier of participating in large-scale demolitions of civilian homes in Gaza, framing these actions as part of a broader strategy to impose intolerable living conditions on Palestinian civilians. The organisation claims these actions amount to genocide and crimes against humanity under international law.
The allegations are supported by evidence including video footage, geolocation data, and photographs, allegedly showing the soldier planting explosives and contributing to the destruction of entire neighborhoods.
The legal case is anchored in the Rome Statute, which grants Brazil jurisdiction over war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity, even if the alleged acts occurred outside the country. Brazilian law allows such investigations when suspects enter its territory. The Metrópoles newspaper reported accessing over 500 pages of court documents related to the case, indicating the depth of the investigation.
In response to the investigation, the Israeli government intervened to support the soldier. Israel’s Consular Affairs Department and the Israeli Embassy in Brazil facilitated the soldier's safe departure from the country.
The Israeli foreign ministry warned that social media posts by Israeli citizens about their military service could be exploited by anti-Israeli groups to initiate legal actions. The HRF criticized Israel’s actions, accusing it of obstructing justice by aiding the soldier’s escape.
Amidst these developments, a guide for Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers has surfaced, advising caution regarding social media activity that could be used as evidence in legal proceedings.
Legal experts have highlighted that content showing destroyed buildings or containing potentially inflammatory material could be treated as incitement to genocide in some countries. Concerns have been raised that funding the defence of soldiers accused of war crimes could set a precedent, complicating legal defences due to the volume of potential cases.