Chile lawyers demand arrest of Israeli soldier over Gaza war crimes
Lawyer and former Chilean ambassador Nelson Haddad calls for the immediate arrest of the soldier for his crimes in Gaza.
At least 620 attorneys in Chile have sought the arrest of a discharged Israeli soldier from Battalion 749 for his role in crimes against humanity and genocide during the war on Gaza, local media reported.
Saar Hirshoren is now traveling in the South American country, and, according to the complaint, was involved in the deliberate destruction of "residential neighborhoods, cultural sites and essential facilities in Gaza, committing inhumane, cruel and degrading acts, causing ethnic cleansing and forced displacement of the population."
The lawsuit was supported by testimony from a Palestinian lady residing in Chile, whose family members had been victims of Israeli aggression in Gaza.
Lawyer and former Chilean ambassador Nelson Haddad stressed Friday that the complaint was made in order to ensure an investigation takes place and "as a preventive measure, the immediate arrest of this Israeli soldier is carried out so that he can be held accountable for the crimes committed and take responsibility before international criminal justice."
At a news conference, Haddad stated that the arrest must occur "before the imminent escape attempt," adding that the situation is "extremely urgent" and emphasizing that "we cannot accept that after having massacred hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, mostly children and women, they can be allowed to come to Chilean Patagonia for vacation.”
Recently, a Brazilian court directed police to investigate an Israeli soldier accused of committing war crimes in Gaza. The directive follows a complaint filed by the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), a human rights organization "devoted to breaking the cycle of Israeli impunity."
The HRF alleges that the suspect, currently in Brazil as a tourist, was involved in the demolition of civilian homes in Gaza as part of the Israeli occupation's genocidal campaign.
"This individual actively contributed to the destruction of homes and livelihoods," said HRF lawyer Maira Pinheiro, referencing video and photographic evidence purportedly linking the suspect to the crimes.
Israeli soldiers face 50 global charges for Gaza crimes: Israeli media
Pro-Palestinian organizations have filed 50 complaints in local courts around the world against Israeli reserve soldiers for committing crimes in Gaza, Kan revealed on Monday.
In a report, Kan noted an increase in attempts to prosecute Israeli army soldiers abroad since the onset of the aggression on Gaza in October 2023.
"Approximately 50 complaints have been filed against reserve soldiers, with ten of them leading to investigations in the respective countries, though no arrests have been recorded so far," the report stated.
It further reported that data from the Israeli army's Information Security Department showed that occupation soldiers publish approximately a million pieces of online content per day, including incriminating footage documenting their involvement in crimes carried out in Gaza, heightening their risks of exposure and prosecution.