European Parliament Hosts Hind Rajab Foundation Briefing on War Crimes Accountability Efforts

Brussels, Belgium — The Hind Rajab Foundation addressed the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Palestine (DPAL), presenting its ongoing legal efforts to pursue accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. During the session, several Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) expressed their solidarity with the Foundation and their support for initiatives aimed at ending impunity and strengthening international justice.

The Hind Rajab Foundation delegation was headed by its General Director, Dyab Abou Jahjah, and included Operational Director Karim Hassoun and Head of Litigation Natacha Bracq. The delegation briefed the MEPs on the Foundation’s investigative work, legal strategy, and ongoing litigation initiatives pursued in national jurisdictions and before international institutions.

The HRF delegation with members of the European Parliament's commission on relations with Palestine

Several MEPs present at the meeting voiced strong support for the Foundation’s work. MEP Cecilia Strada (Italy, S&D) acknowledged what she described as a significant deficit in justice and accountability in Europe. She warned that this failure would have lasting consequences and emphasized that the issues debated in the European Parliament over the past eighteen months concern not only political positions but also the survival of the Palestinian people and the preservation of an international order based on justice. She stressed the urgent need for justice and accountability.

MEP Leoluca Orlando (Italy, Greens/EFA) expressed his solidarity with the Hind Rajab Foundation and stated that he looks forward to identifying ways in which Members of the European Parliament can support the Foundation’s commitment to accountability.

MEP Ana Miranda Paz (Spain, Greens/EFA) also voiced her respect for the Foundation’s work, describing it as an important effort against impunity. She emphasized the need to defend the Foundation and its work, noting that initiatives aimed at prosecuting and denouncing crimes against humanity are essential for the credibility of international justice.

MEP Jaume Asens (Spain, Greens/EFA) expressed his solidarity with the Hind Rajab Foundation and highlighted the importance of legal accountability in confronting violations of international law. He referred in particular to the Foundation’s work in support of efforts to pursue justice for attacks on the international solidarity flotilla. Asens, who personally participated in the flotilla initiative, welcomed the Foundation’s commitment to pursuing accountability and stressed the broader importance of ending Israeli impunity.

The meeting was chaired by MEP Lynn Boylan (Ireland, The Left / GUE–NGL), who echoed the expressions of solidarity and highlighted the significance of the Foundation’s work. She noted that many politicians are continuously raising issues of international law and accountability, but that organizations capable of translating these demands into concrete legal action provide hope both to political actors and to civil society. She emphasized that the Foundation’s work demonstrates that the law can be applied equally and that impunity can be challenged through determined legal action.

During the briefing, General Director Dyab Abou Jahjah explained that the Foundation remains focused on its core mission despite ongoing attacks and defamation campaigns. He emphasized that responding to such attacks is secondary to the work itself. Instead, he stressed the importance of building broader awareness of the Foundation’s legal initiatives. Abou Jahjah encouraged Members of the European Parliament to help raise awareness within their constituencies about the Foundation’s work, particularly as the organization continues to pursue legal actions against individuals holding dual nationality in the jurisdictions of their respective countries.

Operational Director Karim Hassoun explained that the Hind Rajab Foundation is institutionally anchored within the Belgian rule of law and operates as a fully recognized and legitimate organization under Belgian legal frameworks. He outlined the Foundation’s strict internal compliance procedures, including rigorous financial oversight and anti–money laundering policies that exceed legal requirements. Despite accusations and defamation campaigns directed at the organization, Hassoun emphasized that the Foundation remains confident in the legality of its work and in its future within Belgium’s legal and institutional environment.

Head of Litigation Natacha Bracq presented the Foundation’s legal methodology and investigative standards. She detailed how the Foundation applies strict evidentiary procedures, including chain-of-custody protocols for evidence, secure documentation practices, and full compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR. Bracq explained that the Foundation’s legal complaints are prepared according to the highest professional standards and rely on a structured investigative methodology. She further informed the delegation that the Foundation has already filed more than 75 legal cases across more than 25 jurisdictions, while continuing to prepare additional filings and strengthening its research and legal capabilities.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the role European institutions and national jurisdictions can play in supporting accountability mechanisms and enforcing international humanitarian law. The Hind Rajab Foundation reiterated its commitment to pursuing justice through evidence-based legal action and welcomed the constructive engagement of Members of the European Parliament.

Listen to parts of the meeting below: