 February 16, 2025 – The Hague / Brussels The Hind Rajab Foundation has officially filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC), seeking an arrest warrant for Gideon Sa’ar, the Foreign Minister of Israel, for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Israel’s ongoing military assault on Gaza since October 7, 2023. Sa’ar, a senior member of Netanyahu’s government and a key figure in Israel’s decision-making, has played a central role in shaping and implementing policies that have led to mass displacement, collective punishment, and systematic attacks on Palestinian civilians. His public statements and policy endorsements indicate direct and indirect participation in these crimes, as well as incitement to violence and obstruction of international justice mechanisms. A Legal Case Against Gideon Sa’ar The complaint, grounded in the Rome Statute, highlights several grave charges against Sa’ar: War Crimes (Article 8 of the Rome Statute) 1. Collective Punishment and Forced Displacement Sa’ar has publicly advocated for reducing Gaza’s territory, a stance that directly aligns with Israel’s military actions that have led to the destruction of 72% of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure and the forced displacement of 1.7 million Palestinians. These actions violate Article 8(2)(b)(viii) of the Rome Statute, which prohibits the transfer of civilian populations in occupied territories. The creation of military buffer zones and targeted destruction of homes suggest a deliberate policy aimed at permanently preventing Palestinian return—a clear violation of international law. 2. Starvation as a Method of Warfare As Foreign Minister, Sa’ar has endorsed Israel’s total blockade on Gaza, which has restricted food, water, and medical supplies, leading to catastrophic famine conditions. By weaponizing starvation, Israel has violated Article 8(2)(b)(xxv) of the Rome Statute, which criminalizes depriving civilians of objects indispensable to their survival. According to international humanitarian organizations, 96% of Gaza’s population is now food insecure, with over 495,000 people facing famine conditions. The use of starvation as a military tool is a grave breach of international law and constitutes a war crime. Crimes Against Humanity (Article 7 of the Rome Statute) 1. Persecution and Systematic Oppression Sa’ar’s public rejection of Palestinian statehood and his endorsement of policies that deny Palestinians fundamental rights amount to persecution under Article 7(1)(h) of the Rome Statute. His infamous statement “What you call Palestine is the Land of Israel”, reflects a policy of systemic discrimination aimed at erasing Palestinian identity and sovereignty. Israeli settlement expansion, forced displacement, military blockades, and institutionalized apartheid policies have led to the severe and intentional deprivation of Palestinian fundamental rights, constituting a crime against humanity. Co-Perpetration with Netanyahu and ICC Precedents The complaint emphasizes that Sa’ar is not acting alone. He is part of a larger criminal enterprise within Netanyahu’s government, actively shaping policies that violate international law. This filing follows the ICC’s recent issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for similar crimes in November 2024. Sa’ar’s role as a senior cabinet member places him at the core of decision-making processes that have resulted in mass civilian harm. Under Article 25(3)(a) of the Rome Statute, individuals who contribute to a common plan that results in war crimes and crimes against humanity can be held criminally liable as co-perpetrators. Furthermore, under Article 28, Sa’ar may also be charged under command responsibility, as he has failed to prevent or punish subordinates responsible for these crimes, instead endorsing and amplifying these violations. Urgent Call for Action as Sa’ar Visits Brussels on February 18 The urgency of this complaint is heightened by the fact that Gideon Sa’ar is scheduled to visit Brussels on February 18, 2025. As Belgium is a signatory to the Rome Statute, it has a legal obligation to cooperate with the ICC and take action against individuals accused of serious international crimes. The Hind Rajab Foundation calls on Belgian authorities to ensure that Sa’ar does not evade justice while on European soil. Allowing a suspected war criminal to visit Brussels unchallenged would be a betrayal of international legal commitments and the fundamental principles of justice. A Step Toward Justice This latest filing is part of the Hind Rajab Foundation’s broader campaign for accountability, following its previous submission to the ICC against 1,000 Israeli soldiers for war crimes in Gaza. The Foundation remains committed to ensuring that perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity are held accountable at national and international levels. The fight for justice is ongoing, momentum is building. The world is watching. 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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