The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has filed a criminal complaint with Vietnamese authorities against Israeli reservist Matan Jerafi, alleging his involvement in destroying civilian infrastructure in Gaza and Lebanon and inciting violence against Palestinians.
The complaint raises significant legal and diplomatic issues for Vietnam, potentially obligating it to investigate alleged war crimes and incitement to genocide, impacting its international relations and adherence to human rights conventions.
The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has initiated a criminal complaint in Vietnam against Matan Jerafi, an Israeli reservist currently on vacation in the country. HRF alleges that Jerafi participated in the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza between December 2023 and January 2024, and in Lebanon from October to November 2024. Jerafi is also identified as the CEO of the Israeli NGO Im Tirtzu and a member of the 920th Infantry Battalion of the 769th Brigade.
According to HRF, Jerafi made public statements in February 2024 suggesting that Gaza's civilians were "part of Hamas" and that there should be "no mercy" for them. Natacha Bracq, HRF's head of litigation, emphasized Vietnam's legal obligations as a signatory to the Geneva Conventions and the Genocide Convention to investigate these serious allegations. Bracq stated it is unacceptable for Jerafi to be vacationing in Vietnam after allegedly participating in and inciting genocide against Palestinians.