IOF soldier who fought in Gaza, Lebanon denied entry to Czech Republic
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An Israeli reservist was denied entry into the Czech Republic after a France-issued "criminal alert" triggered a Schengen-wide travel ban.
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This photo released by the Israeli military on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, shows ground operations inside the Gaza Strip (AP)
The Czech government has blocked an Israeli reservist from entering the country following a "criminal alert" issued by French authorities, Israeli media reported.
According to Ynet, an unnamed reservist who had fought in both Gaza and Lebanon was detained for several hours at Prague's Vaclav Havel airport and was informed that he was being refused entry into the country.
France's 'criminal alert' encompasses all of Europe
Czech authorities explained that the refusal was based on a Schengen area-wide warning that had been issued against him by France, which consequently blocked his entry into all European countries.
According to the report, four armed police officers at passport control informed the Israeli reservist, who was traveling along with his wife, that he was barred from entry.
Czech officials later explained that the French authorities had accused him of "serious crimes" and that only France could lift the ban.
Although the couple attempted to contact the Israeli embassy in Paris, they were still forced to return to "Israel" only for the Israeli Foreign Ministry to say that the refusal was unclear, while claiming that it was not due to the man's military service.
Avoid travel amid crimes of war
Back in 2024, Ynet reported that the Israeli military warned troops to avoid traveling out of fear they could be arrested or held for investigation, after the IOF identified around 30 cases where legal action was taken against Israeli troops.
According to the report, the Israeli military has implemented a "risk assessment" system which, while not outright preventing its soldiers and officers from traveling, evaluates the risk for any soldier who applies to leave "Israel", particularly those involved in the war on Gaza.
The military has also advised its soldiers and officers who participated in the Gaza offensive to refrain from posting photos and videos of themselves from their time in the Gaza Strip in order to prevent such materials from being used as evidence in potential war crimes investigations.
