Watan–Israeli authorities have issued fresh warnings to soldiers on how to act if arrested while traveling abroad, following growing calls for their prosecution on charges related to alleged war crimes committed during the offensive on Gaza.
The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth published a guideline prepared by journalists Roi Rubinstein and Korin Elbaz-Alush, offering instructions for soldiers to avoid arrest in countries that apply the principle of universal jurisdiction. This legal principle allows for the detention and prosecution of individuals accused of crimes against humanity.
The guide was released in response to two incidents that raised alarm within the Israeli military. In one case, a soldier fled Brazil after an arrest warrant was issued against him, while another faces potential detention in Chile based on a complaint filed by local lawyers. According to the report, soldiers most at risk of arrest are those involved in planning military operations and selecting targets during the war, making them direct subjects of international investigations.
Attorney Kaufman, an expert in defense before the International Criminal Court, offered several recommendations to soldiers. These include seeking assistance from the Israeli embassy immediately upon arrest, avoiding the publication of any content documenting their involvement in the war on social media—particularly images showing bombings and destruction in Gaza—and reviewing the legal risks of the countries they plan to visit. Soldiers were also advised to consult experts in international criminal law before traveling.
The report highlighted that some European and Latin American countries have become increasingly bold in pursuing legal actions against Israeli soldiers. This has prompted the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue clear guidelines to its personnel. Among the additional precautions advised were refraining from making statements that could be used as evidence in court and avoiding interactions with interrogations without the presence of an international law specialist.
With ongoing international pressure and rising demands to prosecute those responsible for massacres in Gaza, Israel faces mounting concerns over the unexpected arrests of soldiers and military officials traveling abroad. These growing legal threats underscore that the repercussions of the recent war on Gaza extend beyond the borders of the strip, now following soldiers even outside Israel.
-
-
-
-
-
-
