British man linked to Israeli military service in Gaza faces war crimes inquiry calls

An investigation by Declassified UK has identified Jonathan Burman, a British national from Manchester, who served with the Israeli military in Gaza. The report utilizes social media posts, military records, and satellite imagery to link Burman to a unit involved in the destruction of residential buildings and an incident at Al-Farabi Primary School in Bani Suheila, east of Khan Younis.

Photographs from Burman’s private Instagram account show him standing beside a burning school. Chris Sidoti, a member of the UN Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, stated that the evidence justifies further investigation and suggested that the Metropolitan Police’s war crimes unit should examine the case. Sidoti clarified that this assessment is not a formal finding of guilt but a call for potential prosecution where warranted.

While an Israeli military spokesperson claimed weapons were found at the school, the investigation highlights concerns regarding the destruction of property not justified by military necessity, which could constitute a war crime under the Fourth Geneva Convention. Burman has not responded to requests for comment.