Human rights lawyers seek Netanyahu's arrest in Argentina
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Human rights attorneys in Argentina have filed a criminal complaint seeking the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greets Argentina's President Javier Milei in the Israeli parliament, in al-Quds, occupied Palestine, Wednesday, June 11, 2025 (AP)
Human rights lawyers announced on Friday that they have filed a criminal complaint in Argentina's federal courts, seeking the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he enter the country, following reports of a potential, though still unconfirmed, visit in September.
According to the complaint reviewed by Reuters, the criminal complaint filed in Argentina's federal courts calls for Netanyahu's arrest in the country and an investigation into the Israeli political and military authorities for an incident on March 23 in which 15 people, among them several first responders helping victims of a bombing, were executed.
According to media reports, Netanyahu was expected to visit Argentina in September, although the government has not confirmed the visit. Argentine newspaper Clarin reported on Friday that he may instead request a meeting with President Javier Milei while both leaders are in New York for the United Nations General Assembly at the end of the month.
"It is understood that Netanyahu is criminally responsible as a co-perpetrator of the war crime of intentionally causing death by starvation; of crimes against humanity such as homicide, persecution, and other inhumane acts," the complaint filed by human rights attorney Rodolfo Yanzon and director of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights Raji Sourani said.
In early August, the Association of State Workers (ATE) and the human rights group HIJOS filed an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in Argentine federal courts, as the Israeli leader faces escalating global pressure over the genocide in Gaza.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry on August 30, since October 7, 2023, the death toll from the Israeli war on Gaza has surged to 63,371 Palestinians, with an additional 159,835 injuries sustained. Since March 18, 2025, the number of Palestinians killed has risen to 11,240, with an additional 47,794 wounded.
