Hind Rajab Foundation targeted 86 IDF soldiers abroad, but none were convicted- analysis
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
Analysis
Named sources
Under investigation
- The Hind Rajab Foundation has filed 86 legal complaints against IDF soldiers in 30 countries over alleged war crimes.
- Most complaints are based on social media footage or open-source intelligence.
- Analysis shows only about 13% of these complaints have resulted in substantive action, such as investigations or questioning.
The Hind Rajab Foundation, a pro-Palestine legal organization, has targeted at least 86 Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers in 30 countries through criminal complaints abroad over the past two and a half years. The foundation accuses these soldiers of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Gaza.
For the most part, the basis of HRF's accusations is footage from social media or open-source intelligence pinning specific individuals to an alleged war crime in Gaza.
The basis for most of the foundation's accusations relies on social media footage or open-source intelligence that allegedly links specific individuals to war crimes. In some instances, the foundation targets soldiers while they are traveling internationally or files complaints in the home countries of dual-national soldiers.
HRF targeted at least 86 individuals in 30 countries
An analysis by The Jerusalem Post of legal complaints filed by the Hind Rajab Foundation against IDF soldiers abroad reveals that out of the 86 individuals targeted, only approximately 13% have led to substantive action by authorities. This action has included investigations and questioning by local law enforcement.
To date, HRF has filed against at least 86 individuals in at least 30 countries.
Examples of such actions include two IDF soldiers being detained and questioned in Belgium in July 2025 after attending the Tomorrowland Festival, although no charges were made. In Peru, a criminal investigation was opened following a complaint but has not yet resulted in action. Similarly, a federal judge in Brazil ordered an investigation into an IDF soldier in January 2025, but the soldier had left the country before police could act. Other cases in Canada, Chile, Greece, and Romania followed a similar pattern of detention or investigation without charges.
HRF's method is often referred to as lawfare - filing large quantities of complaints against individuals with the hope that some of them successfully end in legal measures being taken, as well as, of course, raising the visibility of HRF's cause.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
More Stories
From Our Blog
What Gets Lost (and Found) When News Is Translated
The Critical Role of Diaspora Media in Global News
What Travellers Should Know About Countries with Restricted Press
A Digital Nomad's Guide to Following Local News
How the Same Story Looks Different in Different Countries
