HRF Files Criminal Complaint in Prague Against Israeli Rapper–Soldier Noam Tsuriely for War Crimes and Genocide

14 November 2025 – Prague

The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has filed a criminal complaint before the Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office in Prague against Israeli reservist and rapper Noam Tsuriely, accusing him of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide committed during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

The filing was submitted by JUDr. Jan Täubel, LL.M., attorney-at-law at TAUBEL LEGAL in Prague, acting on behalf of HRF. It is grounded in an HRF Investigative report, which documents Tsuriely’s direct involvement in the destruction of civilian structures and his public glorification of these acts through music.

Tsuriely is currently in the Czech Republic, having performed in Prague on 13 November 2025.

A Perpetrator in Gaza, a Performer in Europe?

According to HRF’s investigation, Tsuriely deployed with the 699th Paratroopers Battalion of the 551st “Fire Arrows” Brigade on 27–28 October 2023, entering the Gaza Strip as part of the ground invasion. His own social media posts document multiple entries into Gaza, repeated deployment cycles, and direct involvement in destruction operations.

A key incident occurred on 8 November 2023, when the 551st Brigade carried out a controlled demolition in Beit Hanoun, destroying a civilian building located above tunnels near a UNRWA school. HRF’s geolocation analysis and military-source verification place Tsuriely at the scene during the operation.

Controlled demolitions require full control of the area, entry into the structure, placement of explosives, and withdrawal — a method incompatible with claims of active combat or urgent military necessity. The structure therefore remained a protected civilian object, making its destruction a war crime under the Rome Statute and under Czech law (Sections 412 and 413 CC).

Tsuriely uses a displaced family’s home to promote his concert — equating his war crimes with his "art".

War Crimes and Genocidal Context

HRF’s complaint invokes Czech universal jurisdiction under:

• Section 7 of the Czech Criminal Code (universal jurisdiction)
• Section 400 – Genocide
• Section 401 – Crimes against humanity
• Section 412 – War atrocities
• Section 413 – Persecution of population

and is filed pursuant to Section 158 of the Czech Criminal Procedure Code.

HRF finds that Tsuriely’s actions may constitute several crimes:

• Intentionally attacking protected buildings (Rome Statute Art. 8(2)(b)(ix))
• Extensive destruction of property not justified by military necessity (Art. 8(2)(a)(iv))
• Attacking undefended towns, villages, and dwellings (Art. 8(2)(b)(v))
• War atrocities (Czech CC §412)

Given that by January 2025, 70% of Gaza’s structures, 92% of homes, and 80% of commercial facilities had been destroyed, HRF concludes that Tsuriely’s actions contributed directly to the genocidal destruction of Palestinian life.

This aligns with the UN Commission of Inquiry’s September 2025 finding that Israel has committed genocide, including the deliberate infliction of conditions of life aimed at destroying the population.

“

The massive destruction of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure is the most clearly defined component of genocide,” said Natacha Bracq, HRF’s Head of Litigation.
“Noam Tsuriely took part in that destruction. He helped erase entire neighborhoods, and then he turned that devastation into entertainment.

”

Weaponizing Music to Normalize Atrocities

After returning from Gaza, Tsuriely released the song “Another Day in Gaza”, framing Israeli soldiers as “the light” — even as the UN and leading human rights organizations classified Israel’s actions as genocide.

During a December 2024 performance, he projected real footage of Israeli troops storming Palestinian homes and demolishing buildings. In televised interviews, he performed lyrics such as:
“to shatter Gaza to pieces.”

His role as both a soldier and a public artist magnifies the impact of his conduct. Under Czech law, such performances may also constitute:

• Section 365 – Approving a criminal offence, and
• Section 356 – Inciting hatred against a group of persons.

“

You cannot commit war crimes in Gaza and then tour Europe as an artist as if nothing happened,” said Dyab Abou Jahjah, HRF's General Director.
“This man is weaponizing his art as an extension of the war crimes he helped commit. Europe cannot serve as a stage for perpetrators.

”

HRF Calls on Czech Authorities to Act

The complaint urges Czech prosecutors to:

1. Open criminal proceedings under Sections 400, 401, 412, and 413 CC
2. Seize Tsuriely’s electronic devices to preserve evidence
3. Impose a travel ban or detain him
4. Investigate possible incitement and approval of war crimes during his performances in Prague

Under Section 7 CC, Czech authorities are fully empowered to prosecute Tsuriely — regardless of where the crimes were committed.

HRF reiterates that Europe must not become a transit hub or sanctuary for individuals who committed atrocities in Gaza.

From Beit Hanoun to Prague, HRF will continue to track, document, and pursue accountability for all perpetrators — artists, soldiers, commanders, and public figures alike.