Israel Bans HRF Chairman from Entry over “Prosecution” of Israeli Soldiers for Gaza War Crimes
Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- Israel has banned the chairman of the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) from entering the occupied Palestinian territories over “prosecuting” Israeli soldiers for war crimes in Gaza.
According to Israel’s Ynet News, the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism submitted a request last month to the Interior Ministry to issue entry bans to Israel against 50 people and five organizations from 17 countries, who are involved in legal and public campaigns targeting Israeli soldiers and Israeli institutions.
The law claims these individuals and organizations “deny Israel’s right to exist and defend itself. It significantly expands the scope of the existing BDS law.”
Among those banned are the founders of the Hind Rajab Foundation, Dyab Abou Jahjah and Karim Hassoun, both residents of Belgium.
The Hind Rajab Foundation is a Belgium-based pro-Palestine group which leads a legal push against Israeli soldiers’ war crimes in Gaza. In October 2024, the HRF filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) against 1,000 Israeli soldiers for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Gaza.
In response to the ban, Abu Jahjah said, “We’re not persecuting anyone — we’re taking war criminals to court. They fear truth & justice. Their goal is destroying the #HindRajabFoundation.”
The ban also includes activists from organizations such as Al-Haq Europe, DAWN, Law for Palestine, and LPHR. About 20 of the 50 people identified are from the UK and the rest from Germany, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, and Morocco.
