Hind Rajab Foundation files criminal complaint in Vietnam against Israeli soldier

The Hind Rajab Foundation has filed a criminal complaint with Vietnamese authorities against Matan Girafi, an Israeli reservist and CEO of the NGO M-Tzeru. The complaint alleges Girafi's involvement in the destruction of civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip between December 2023 and January 2024, as well as military operations in Lebanon during October and November 2024.

The foundation cited public statements made by Girafi in February 2024, in which he allegedly claimed that civilians in Gaza were "part of Hamas" and called for a lack of "mercy" toward them. Natasha Brak, head of litigation for the foundation, argued that Vietnam has a legal obligation under the Geneva Conventions and the Genocide Convention to investigate these allegations.

This legal action is part of an ongoing effort by the Hind Rajab Foundation to pursue cases against Israeli soldiers in various countries using the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows nations to investigate serious international crimes regardless of where they were committed.