Pro-Palestinian group seeks arrest of Israeli academic in Netherlands

The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) and the European Legal Support Center (ELSC) have filed an urgent criminal complaint against an Israeli academic currently in the Netherlands serving as a judge at the European University Debating Championship (EUDC) at Utrecht University. The organizations allege he committed war crimes during his service in Gaza and demand his arrest by Dutch authorities.

The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), known for pursuing IDF soldiers worldwide, announced on Thursday that it has filed an urgent criminal complaint together with the European Legal Support Center (ELSC) against L.H., an Israeli academic staying in the Netherlands as a judge at the European University Debating Championship (EUDC) at Utrecht University. The organizations claim that L.H., affiliated with Ben-Gurion University's debate society, served as an armored soldier in the Gaza Strip and committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. The complaint is based on videos he posted on social media, documenting the demolition of a school building in Rafah, accompanied by cynical remarks such as "The school year ended earlier than expected. Urgent, what's the number of the fire department?" The organizations complain that Dutch authorities have not yet taken action and fear he will leave the country after the championship ends on July 31. HRF's head of litigation, Natasha Brak, stated that his presence in the Netherlands "provides a unique opportunity to enforce international law."