Efforts—both official and grassroots—are intensifying worldwide to pursue legal accountability for Israeli soldiers involved in the genocide in Gaza. In a landmark development, Canada’s federal police have launched a criminal investigation against several Israeli soldiers who also hold Canadian citizenship, on suspicion of committing crimes against humanity in the besieged Palestinian territory.
This Canadian investigation is not an isolated case. It joins a growing list of international legal actions against Israeli forces implicated in the Gaza war. Countries like Sweden, Switzerland, Peru, and Brazil have all opened similar inquiries, signalling a mounting legal backlash against those responsible for the devastation in Gaza.
But the consequences of the war are not limited to courtroom indictments. The curse of Gaza is beginning to follow Israeli tourists around the world.
Among the key players in these legal efforts is the Hind Rajab Foundation, a human rights organisation established in Brussels in February 2024. The foundation is spearheading several major complaints and working in collaboration with international legal bodies.
In a desperate attempt to shield its soldiers, the Israeli regime has issued directives advising reserve forces to avoid international travel amid fears of arrest warrants being issued abroad.
Meanwhile, Israel faces two major international trials for its war crimes in Gaza—at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC has already issued arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, triggering widespread outrage in Tel Aviv.
Ongoing International Prosecutions Against Israeli Soldiers
1. Canada: Crimes Against Humanity Investigation Against Dual-National Soldiers
The RCMP is reportedly investigating Canadian nationals who served in the Israeli military—whether in active duty or reserves—during the war on Gaza. While the probe began discreetly in 2024, it has now come to light as part of Canada’s Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program (CAHWCP), jointly operated by the RCMP, the Department of Justice, the Border Services Agency, and Immigration and Citizenship Canada.
2. Peru: Official Inquiry into Israeli Soldier Accused of Genocide
In May 2025, the Hind Rajab Foundation announced that the Republic of Peru had opened an official investigation into an Israeli combat engineer accused of participating in Gaza’s systematic destruction.
The complaint, backed by open-source intelligence and audiovisual evidence, urged Lima to invoke universal jurisdiction. The soldier in question allegedly played a direct role in the intentional demolition of civilian neighbourhoods during the 2023–2024 campaign.
The foundation’s legal team, led by Peruvian human rights lawyer Julio César Arbizu, accused the soldier of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide.
3. United Kingdom: Calls to Arrest Israel’s Foreign Minister
In April 2025, Hind Rajab Foundation filed a request with UK authorities demanding the arrest of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar during his visit to London, over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
The request, supported by the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) and a coalition of doctors, was submitted to the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions. It called for an emergency arrest warrant against Sa’ar, a senior member of Israel’s security cabinet.
The filing accuses Sa’ar of aiding and encouraging grave violations of international humanitarian law, including torture, deliberate killings, and widespread destruction of Palestinian property.
4. Japan: Israeli Tourists Required to Sign Anti-War Crime Declarations
In a powerful gesture of protest, a hotel chain in Kyoto, Japan, has required Israeli guests to sign a declaration affirming they are not involved in war crimes before allowing them to stay.
Hotel manager Kishi Issei told Anadolu Agency that this was a deeply personal response to Israel’s atrocities in Gaza, especially the images of children buried under rubble.
Since Japanese law prohibits outright customer refusal, the hotel created this legal workaround to express its solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Kishi, a hotel veteran of 10 years, described Israel’s actions as “completely unacceptable” and “in violation of international law.” He said the signed pledges were the most the hotel could do within legal constraints to protest the genocide.
5. Sweden: Complaint Filed Against Israeli Reserve Soldier Residing in Sweden
In January 2025, Hind Rajab Foundation filed a complaint with Swedish authorities against an Israeli reserve soldier living in the country, accusing him of involvement in the Gaza genocide.
According to Israeli army radio, the complaint submitted in Stockholm claims the accused soldier directly participated in crimes of mass extermination, though further details remain confidential.
How Is Israel Trying to Shield Its Soldiers from Arrest Abroad?
In December 2024, Hebrew media—including Yedioth Ahronoth—revealed that the Israeli army issued internal instructions to Gaza war veterans advising them to avoid international travel due to the risk of legal arrest.
Some soldiers and officers were even ordered to leave certain countries immediately as precautionary legal measures intensified.
The army also warned personnel against posting photos or videos that revealed their role in the Gaza offensive, to prevent them from being used as evidence abroad.
A special inter-agency legal task force was also formed to assess global legal risks for soldiers and reservists, while the Foreign Ministry issued a general warning that social media posts could be used in legal proceedings overseas.
In response, Israel retained local legal counsel in dozens of countries to monitor legal updates related to war crimes and military conduct. For any reservists planning to travel, the military now advises verifying the destination’s legal risk level with the Foreign Ministry’s operations unit.
What Are the Global Risks Facing Israeli Soldiers?
1. Few Viable Options
According to Haaretz, senior officials in the Israeli Foreign Ministry admit that Tel Aviv has very limited options to protect its soldiers from foreign legal prosecution—and the tools it has aren’t being effectively utilised.
2. ICC Arrest Warrants May Accelerate Global Action
The International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant are expected to trigger further prosecutions worldwide, especially against high-ranking officers involved in the Gaza war.
Yedioth Ahronoth warns that once the war ends and international NGOs and journalists are granted free access to Gaza, accountability pressures will intensify.
3. The Power of Universal Jurisdiction
Under universal jurisdiction, any national court may prosecute individuals accused of grave crimes like genocide—regardless of where the crimes occurred.
Ironically, Israel itself once invoked this legal principle to try Adolf Eichmann, the Nazi war criminal, for crimes against humanity.
“Once you document yourself committing war crimes, it becomes much easier to prosecute you—even from the other side of the world.”
4. Lack of Diplomatic Immunity for Most Soldiers
Unlike top officials, ordinary Israeli soldiers and mid-ranking officers do not enjoy diplomatic immunity, nor do they have the resources to understand international law or avoid risky jurisdictions. This makes them especially vulnerable to prosecution.
