Former Israeli soldier flees Brazil amid war crimes allegations

A former Israeli soldier abruptly left Brazil after facing allegations of war crimes during his military service in Gaza.

The case was initiated by the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), a pro-Palestinian NGO tracking Israeli military personnel for alleged crimes in Gaza. The lawsuit accuses the soldier of participating in the systematic demolition of civilian homes.

Last week, a Brazilian judge ordered an investigation into the allegations, citing Brazil’s obligations under the Rome Statute to probe crimes like war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. HRF lawyer Maira Pinheiro stressed Brazil’s responsibility to ensure justice for such offenses.

HRF, named in memory of Hind Rajab, a 5-year-old killed by Israeli tank fire in Gaza, seeks to hold Israeli soldiers accountable globally.

It has pursued similar cases in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Chile, and other countries, but no confirmed arrests have resulted.

The Israeli foreign ministry, alerted to the case, coordinated the soldier’s swift and safe departure from Brazil. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar urged Israelis to be cautious about sharing military-related content on social media, warning that such posts could be exploited for legal actions.

The incident has sparked political backlash in Israel. Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the government, calling the situation a “monumental political failure” for allowing a reserve soldier to flee under such circumstances.