 Friedman shamelessly posing amidst the ruins of Gaza The Hind Rajab Foundation has officially filed a criminal complaint against Shay Friedman, an Israeli soldier suspected of participating in war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The complaint, submitted to the German authorities, outlines serious allegations, including aiding and abetting murder, genocide, and other grave offences under both German and international law. Background and Charges
Shay Friedman, a member of the Israeli Golani Brigade, 12th Battalion, has been identified as actively participating in military operations in Gaza since October 2023. The complaint includes video evidence clearly showing Friedman using a heavy machine gun to fire at civilian buildings, violating the principles of distinction and proportionality under international humanitarian law. The video evidence spans from March to November 2024, capturing Friedman’s actions in multiple instances of direct attacks on civilian structures such as homes, hospitals, schools, and humanitarian facilities. Additionally, social media posts show Friedman boasting about his involvement in these crimes. Friedman is currently in Germany, most likely in Munich, making him subject to immediate legal action under German jurisdiction. Legal Basis for the Complaint The Hind Rajab Foundation has filed the complaint under German legal provisions that allow for the prosecution of international crimes, including:
Call for Arrest and Investigation Due to the overwhelming evidence and the severity of the allegations, the Hind Rajab Foundation has called for the immediate arrest of Shay Friedman. The legal filing requests:
Germany Must Act: No Room for Political Considerations Germany cannot neglect the fact that it has jurisdiction over this case because this war criminal is currently in Germany. The rule of law must prevail, and Germany must uphold its legal obligations under both domestic and international law. As a state that claims to uphold justice and human rights, Germany has the duty to prosecute individuals accused of the most serious crimes against humanity, regardless of political considerations. The Hind Rajab Foundation calls on the German prosecution to ignore political pressures and focus on the legal framework that obliges Germany to act. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has already determined that the case brought by South Africa regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza establishes the plausible risk of genocide, making it Germany’s duty to take immediate legal action. Furthermore, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for their roles in war crimes. This highlights the necessity for all nations, including Germany, to uphold international justice and prevent impunity for those responsible for atrocities. Implications and the HRF’s Commitment to Justice This case is part of the Hind Rajab Foundation’s broader legal strategy to hold individuals accountable for war crimes committed in Gaza. The foundation has already filed multiple complaints in national and international jurisdictions, aiming to break the cycle of impunity that has shielded perpetrators of atrocities against Palestinians. Israel’s actions in Gaza have been widely condemned as acts of genocide by leading human rights organizations. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese have all provided detailed reports outlining the systematic targeting of civilians, destruction of essential infrastructure, and the forced displacement of Palestinians as clear evidence of genocidal intent. These authoritative findings reinforce the urgent need for accountability. With tens of thousands of civilians, including a big percentage of children, killed in indiscriminate attacks, the Hind Rajab Foundation emphasizes that silence and inaction are no longer options. This legal action sends a clear message: those responsible for crimes against humanity will be pursued and brought to justice, regardless of their nationality or political affiliations. The foundation calls upon human rights organizations, legal professionals, and the international community to support these efforts to ensure accountability and justice for the victims of Gaza. Comments are closed.
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PERPETRATORS
A perpetrator of war crimes or crimes against humanity is an individual who directly engages in, orders, or facilitates acts that constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law .
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March 2025
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