Hind Rajab files Vietnam complaint against Israeli soldiers

BRUSSEL, Aug. 09 (YPA) – The Hind Rajab Foundation has filed a criminal complaint with Vietnamese authorities against an Israeli reserve soldier currently in Vietnam, accusing him of involvement in the destruction of civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

In a statement, the complaint targets Matan Girafi, CEO of the Israeli NGO Im Tirtzu and a member of the Israeli occupation’s 920th Battalion of the 769th Brigade.

According to the foundation, the evidence submitted to Vietnamese authorities indicates that Girafi participated in the destruction of civilian facilities and infrastructure in Gaza between December 2023 and January 2024, as well as military operations in Lebanon between October and November 2024.

The complaint also cites public statements attributed to Girafi regarding Palestinians in Gaza. The foundation said he stated in February 2024 that civilians in Gaza were “part of Hamas” and called for showing them “no mercy.”

The Hind Rajab Foundation urged Vietnamese authorities to investigate the allegations, stressing that Girafi’s presence in the country warrants official action to verify the accusations.

The complaint is part of the foundation’s broader legal campaign in several countries against Israeli soldiers suspected of involvement in violations of international law during the war on Gaza.

The foundation is seeking investigations under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows certain states to prosecute individuals suspected of serious international crimes regardless of where the crimes were committed or the nationality of the perpetrators or victims.