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IOF soldier told to leave Sri Lanka fearing detention over Gaza war

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Israeli media
  • 20 Dec 2024 18:43
4 Min Read

Soldier Gal Ferenbook received an urgent call from Israeli authorities instructing him to leave Sri Lanka immediately to avoid potential arrest.

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    Israeli soldiers stand guard on the Palestinian side of the Karem Abu Salem crossing as reporters tour the area in the Gaza Strip, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 (AP)

An Israeli soldier visiting Sri Lanka was reportedly urged to leave the country on Wednesday after being identified by a pro-Palestinian organization that accused him of involvement in the killing of a Palestinian civilian in Gaza, Israeli media reported.

The Israeli Channel 12 mentioned that the Hind Rajab Foundation, a Belgium-based organization, posted a photo of the soldier, Gal Ferenbook, and appealed to Sri Lankan authorities, the International Criminal Court (ICC), and Interpol, demanding his arrest for the killing of a civilian in Gaza. 

Today, the #HindRajabFoundation has formally sent the ICC complaint against Gal Ferenbook to the governments of #SouthAfrica, #Ireland, and #Spain, urging them to issue arrest warrants and request Interpol Red Notices should he leave #SriLanka freely. Gal Ferenbook, a soldier… pic.twitter.com/j8WoArM4Mv

— The Hind Rajab Foundation (@HindRFoundation) December 18, 2024

The foundation stated that Ferenbook had posted a video on Instagram on August 9 showing what he described as the body of a killed Palestinian civilian. In the footage, Ferenbook is seen laughing as another soldier refers to him as "the Terminator".

According to Channel 12, Ferenbook received an urgent call from Israeli authorities instructing him to leave Sri Lanka immediately to avoid potential arrest.

Responding to the report, the Israeli military stated that it "does everything it can and uses all available means to protect its service members at home and abroad.” However, it did not comment on whether Ferenbook would face disciplinary or criminal proceedings upon his return to "Israel".

The report also noted that this is not the first instance of Israeli soldiers being advised to leave a foreign country due to the risk of arrest. Last month, a similar incident occurred in Cyprus.

Earlier this month, the Israeli military reportedly cautioned dozens of soldiers against traveling abroad after war crimes complaints were filed against approximately 30 soldiers who had taken part in the war on Gaza.

In eight cases, Israeli soldiers who had already traveled abroad were ordered to return immediately due to fears of arrest or interrogation in the countries they were visiting, including Cyprus, Slovenia, and the Netherlands, according to the Israeli Ynet news website. 

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The report noted that while the Israeli military does not prohibit soldiers from traveling internationally, it conducts a “risk assessment” for troops who served in Gaza before granting travel approval. It added that reservists who served in Gaza are being advised to consult the Israeli Foreign Ministry about potential risks in their intended travel destinations.

Mossad advises IOF to avoid sharing Gaza photos to prevent prosecution 

Press TV reported last week that Israeli occupation soldiers taking part in the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip have been cautioned against posting battlefield photos online due to concerns over potential prosecution abroad.

This comes a month after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Security Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of "crimes against humanity and war crimes."

The warrants oblige the ICC’s 124 member states to detain Netanyahu and Gallant should they enter their territory.

Some Israeli soldiers involved in the genocide in Gaza have taken to social media platforms to document their actions in the besieged Palestinian Strip, boasting about their crimes against the territory's population and infrastructure.

“Do not post a picture of yourself in the battlefields of Gaza or elsewhere. Do not even post at all on social media,” warned a post on X from an account claiming affiliation with "Israel’s" Mossad intelligence agency.

It is too late; the evidence has been documented. War criminals who have essentially testified against themselves will not escape justice.
The true nightmare, however, is not that their vacation is ruined—it is the genocide these criminals have committed.
#JusticeForGaza pic.twitter.com/XrCIxlbCP6

— The Hind Rajab Foundation (@HindRFoundation) December 12, 2024

The advisory cautioned soldiers that their information could be shared with countries they may visit in the future, exposing them to potential arrest. “Your vacation will turn into a nightmare,” the post added.  

Additionally, Israeli media recently reported that 30 Israeli occupation soldiers and officers involved in the war on Gaza were advised to avoid international travel after pro-Palestinian groups filed war crimes complaints against them.

Read more: Australia denies visa to two IOF soldiers over 'war crimes' questions

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