Farewell to Gilles Dever: The Legal Warrior Behind ICC Warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant
Paris (Quds News Network)- French lawyer and legal scholar Gilles Dever died on Tuesday, leaving a legacy of tireless legal battles for justice, particularly for the Palestinian people.
Dever led over 500 lawyers and human rights organizations to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in November 2023, aiming to hold Israel accountable for war crimes.
He played a pivotal role in securing ICC arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in May 2023. The charges included crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza. Dever called this achievement the peak of his career, telling his son, “Now I can die in peace.” Even as his health declined, he spoke about this legal victory, with his final remarks aired on Al Jazeera.
Gilles Dever: A True Advocate for Oppressed Peoples
For 30 years, Dever fought for justice. He worked on healthcare, social issues, and minority rights, prioritizing the Palestinian cause.
Born in 1956, he was a lawyer in Lyon, a former nurse, and a law professor at Lyon 3 University. His legal journey began in 2009, with efforts to hold Israel accountable for the 2008-2009 Gaza war. In 2014, he filed a legal complaint after another Israeli offensive in Gaza.
After the October 7, 2023, attack on Gaza, Dever’s efforts intensified. He was described as the “dynamo” of the legal team, pushing for evidence collection and the eventual arrest warrants.
Dever continued working until the end, even traveling to Paris despite severe illness to push the case of Palestinian prisoners at the ICC.
Hamas mourned Dever as a true ally of Palestine. Dr. Bassem Naeem, a senior Hamas official, expressed heartfelt condolences to Dever’s family and friends. He described Dever as a genuine advocate for oppressed peoples. Naeem also emphasized that the Palestinian people and their just cause were central to Dever’s work.
Naeem called for global efforts to honor Dever’s legacy and fulfill his dream of an independent Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital.
