Pro-Palestinian foundation uses data from open sources, such as social networks and videos, to accuse military personnel of war crimes in Gaza; founder has a history linked to Hezbollah
In December 2024, Brazilian justice began an offensive against Israeli soldier Yuval Vagdani, accused of war crimes in the Gaza Strip. The complaint was filed by (HRF), a pro-Palestinian NGO based in Belgium. Vagdani, who was on vacation in Brazil, was accused of “genocide” for involvement in the Israeli operation in Gaza. Him on Sunday (January 5, 2025).
HRF, specialized in monitoring human rights violations in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict, uses data collected through Open Source Intelligencewhich brings together information from open sources, such as social networks, videos and photos.
The foundation alleged that Vagdani took part in an attack on a residential neighborhood in Gaza, where Palestinians had sought refuge since the start of the war. Based on this information, HRF asked the Brazilian courts to open an investigation and preventive arrest of Vagdani, who was in Bahia on vacation. The action was based on (PDF – 404 kB), an international treaty signed by Brazil that obliges countries to act in cases of crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide within the scope of the International Criminal Court.
In response, the Federal Court (Federal Police) investigated the soldier, in a decision issued by judge Raquel Soares Chiarelli, from the Federal District, on December 30, 2024.
Price Rajab
The HRF is led by Dyab Abou Jahjah, accused of being a former member of Hezbollah, a political group in Lebanon considered terrorist by countries such as the United States, United Kingdom and Germany. In a North American newspaper New York Times in 2003, Jahjah claimed to have received military training with Hezbollah.
“I had some military training [do Hezbollah] and I’m still very proud of it”, said Jahjah in an excerpt from the interview with the “New York Times”
According to its website, the Hind Rajab Foundation’s mission is to hold Israeli military personnel accountable for war crimes, especially in the Gaza Strip. The foundation constantly monitors social networks and content shared by civilians affected by the conflict. Using geolocation technologies, HRF cross-references this information to identify individuals allegedly involved in military attacks.
The collected data is then forwarded to local courts, requesting investigations and, when possible, the arrest of the accused soldiers. HRF has already taken legal action in countries such as Brazil, Argentina and Chile, based on the Rome Statute.
PF BARRA INVESTIGATION
The response of the Brazilian Justice was considered ““ by HRF. But the PF asked the Court to open the investigation.
In a document sent to the MPF (Federal Public Ministry) on Monday (Jan 6), the PF argued that there are not enough elements to justify the investigation. Among the arguments presented, the organization highlighted that the soldier had already left Brazil and that there are no laws in the country that classify crimes against humanity. The PGR (Attorney General’s Office) has not yet commented on the case.
According to HRF, Vagdani arrived in Argentina after leaving Brazilian soil. The foundation says it has filed legal proceedings in the country against the war crimes suspect. “This movement reinforces our commitment to ending impunity and holding perpetrators accountable. Justice will prevail no matter where they hide.”wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
