Hind Rajab Foundation files complaint in Vietnam against Israeli reservist — Jerusalem Post

The pro-Palestinian Hind Rajab Foundation has filed a criminal complaint with Vietnamese authorities against an Israeli reservist who was vacationing in the country. The organization accuses him of involvement in the destruction of civilian property during the war in the Gaza Strip, The Jerusalem Post reports.

Foundation's claims

According to the Hind Rajab Foundation, the reservist, identified by the initials H.G., served as an operator of a D9 military bulldozer in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the 188th Brigade during the Israel Defense Forces' ground operation in Gaza. The foundation claims that the man posted photos and videos on social media which, according to its version, show the destruction, demolition and burning of buildings in Gaza City, Khan Younis and Rafah.

The organization also referred to a post which, it claims, was published on November 19, 2023, and showed extensive destruction in Gaza. According to the foundation's translation, the serviceman said that his unit searched for suspicious objects, tunnels, military equipment and suitcases, and in the absence of such findings, completed the demolition of structures.

Incidents in the complaint

The Hind Rajab Foundation stated that the reservist was allegedly involved in the demolition of the Abbas police station in the southern part of the Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City between November 14 and 21, 2023. The foundation described the destruction of Palestine Square in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood on December 18, 2023, as the second incident. In the organization's view, these actions were not justified by military necessity and may have violated international law.

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As of Monday, there was no information about any action by Vietnamese authorities in response to the complaint. The foundation's director general, Dyab Abou Jahjah, said that the organization continues to identify servicemen who regularly travel to Vietnam for holidays.

Complaints abroad

The publication notes that a special order of the Israel Defense Forces General Staff prohibits military personnel from being photographed and publishing photos in uniform or from operational areas. The document also contains a warning to avoid materials that may be interpreted as causing harm to civilians.

According to The Jerusalem Post, over approximately two years of its existence, the foundation has used information from social media to file dozens of complaints in about 25 countries. Proceedings were opened, in particular, in Peru, Brazil, Romania and Chile, but they did not result in punishments or sanctions.