Israel Targets HRF Lawyer in Brazil After Filing Complaint Against Israeli Soldier Accused of Gaza War Crimes
Brussels (Quds News Network)- Israel has reportedly targeted a Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) lawyer in Brazil after they filed a complaint against an Israeli soldier, vacationing in the country, for war crimes in Gaza.
“We strongly condemns the vile and cowardly attacks targeting our lawyer in Brazil, Ms. Maira Pinheiro. Following her involvement in the legal case against the soldier who escaped after the court issued a probe order against him, Ms. Pinheiro has faced serious threats, including threats to her life, doxxing, sexist slurs, and even threats directed toward her daughter. These despicable acts aim to intimidate and silence her but will not succeed,” the Belgium-based group said on X on Sunday.
The group added, “Ms. Pinheiro was simply carrying out her professional duty as part of the legal process. The Hind Rajab Foundation collaborates with hundreds of committed lawyers worldwide who share a steadfast dedication to justice and accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity. We will not be intimidated or deterred by such cowardice; these attacks only deepen our resolve.”
On Saturday, a Brazilian federal court ordered police to investigate Yuval Vagdani, an Israeli soldier who was in Brazil on vacation, for “war crimes” in Gaza.
The order came after the HRF announced that it filed a complaint against the soldier.
🚨🚨 Major Breakthrough❗️:
A Brazilian court has taken action on a #HindRajabFoundation case against an Israeli suspect accused of war crimes, currently in Brazil on vacation. The court has issued an urgent order for police intervention against the suspect.
The HRF is calling… pic.twitter.com/ctJkoh6BKA— The Hind Rajab Foundation (@HindRFoundation) January 3, 2025
On Sunday, the Israeli soldier reportedly fled the country. In a statement, the HRF accused Israel of orchestrating his departure to obstruct justice, adding that “there are also indications that evidence is being destroyed”.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry also announced that it had helped the former soldier in leaving Brazil on a commercial flight, after what it described as “anti-Israel elements” pushed for an investigation last week. The Ministry also warned Israeli soldiers and officers against sharing pictures or videos of their involvement in Gaza on social media, according to The Washington Post.
The HRF supplied 500 pages of evidence including videos and images showing Yuval Vagdani planting explosives in November, 2024, used to destroy infrastructure and buildings in Gaza.
It said “he had participated in “massive demolitions of civilian homes in Gaza during a systematic campaign of destruction.”
“We call on Brazilian authorities to fulfill their responsibilities, protect their judicial process, and ensure justice prevails,” it added.
🚨🚨 Urgent Alert❗️
The #HindRajabFoundation has verified information that Israel is imminently attempting to smuggle suspected Israeli war criminal Yuval Vagdani out of Brazil, because of a Brazilian court order for police to take investigative measures against him. There are… pic.twitter.com/DiIigN4kC2— The Hind Rajab Foundation (@HindRFoundation) January 4, 2025
“This is a historic moment,” said Dyab Abou Jahjah, the group’s chair. “It sets a powerful precedent for holding war criminals accountable.”
Meanwhile, Riad Abu Badwia, a professor of international law, explained that Brazil, as a signatory to the Rome Statute, has the legal authority to prosecute individuals involved in war crimes.
The Brazilian court’s decision could inspire other countries to follow suit and open the door for broader international accountability for Israeli military officials, Abu Badwia added.
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.
It said the complaint is “supported by over 8,000 pieces of verifiable evidence – including videos, audio recordings, forensic reports, and social media documentation – demonstrates the soldiers’ direct involvement in these atrocities.”
It noted that soldiers were named and were all “located in Gaza during the genocidal assault, and the evidence reveals their participation in violations of international law.”
It added that it provided evidence that they had taken part in the “destruction of civilian infrastructure … Illegal occupation and looting … Participation in the Gaza blockade … Targeting civilians … Use of inhumane warfare tactics,” which are violations under international law.
The soldiers named include “high-ranking officers and commanders responsible for planning and executing military operations in Gaza,” individuals with dual citizenship, “including 12 from France, 12 from the United States, 4 from Canada, 3 from the United Kingdom, and 2 from the Netherlands,” and soldiers “who have openly boasted about their war crimes on social media,” it explained.
In December, the Israeli military reportedly warned dozens of soldiers against traveling abroad, after some 30 soldiers who served in Gaza genocide had war crimes complaints filed against them. Soldiers have been identified from videos and images they posted online that were taken during their service in Gaza.
