A pro-Palestinian NGO, the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), has lodged a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. The HRF is seeking an arrest warrant for Sa’ar, accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed during Israel’s military assault on Gaza since October 7, 2023.
The complaint was filed ahead of Sa’ar's anticipated trip to Brussels next week. While Israel and the United States are not ICC members, Belgium is a signatory to the Rome Statute. The HRF has called on Belgian authorities to cooperate with the ICC and prevent Sa’ar from evading justice while on European soil.
The HRF, dedicated to ending Israeli impunity, highlighted Sa’ar's role in implementing policies leading to mass displacement, collective punishment, and attacks on Palestinian civilians. The group accused Sa’ar of advocating for reducing Gaza's territory and endorsing a total blockade on Gaza, restricting essential supplies.
Notably, the ICC had previously issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant. The HRF's complaint also mentioned alleged co-perpetration with the Israeli government.
This is not the first time the HRF has taken legal action against individuals linked to Israeli military operations in Gaza. The group has a history of tracking Israeli soldiers' activities and pursuing legal avenues to hold them accountable for alleged war crimes.
In response to these legal actions, the Israeli foreign ministry has cautioned its citizens about potential risks related to social media posts concerning military service, warning of the possibility of baseless legal proceedings initiated by anti-Israeli elements.
