Could it be possible that President Trump will impose sanctions on nations where legal systems prosecute Israeli citizens who are acting in self-defense against mass exterminations? An emerging tactic implemented by those hostile toward Israel is lawfare, in lieu of literal obliteration attempts. Since the 7th of October, 2023, no fewer than a dozen lawsuits alleging war crimes have been initiated against Israelis in foreign territories. Opponents have turned their strategies towards leveraging social media outputs to harass Israeli individuals travelling to nations that denounce Israel.
For instance, a former attendee of the notorious Nova festival tragedy, Yuval Vagdani, along with his family, found themselves having to escape to Argentina due to an arrest warrant issued by a Brazilian court. Yet, this narrative is reflective of a wider pattern that is intent on delegitimizing Israeli citizenship. In order to implicate Mr. Vagdani, antagonists drew on video footage he had recorded in Gaza, claiming his participation in ‘genocide’.
Despite the risk of documenting combat scenarios, Israel was severely shaken following the events of October 7. From our perspective, it is commendations, not reproof, that are due to those Israelis who survived the assault at the Nova festival. Posting about experiences on social platforms can be a therapeutic method of processing the traumas they have suffered, despite the military’s caution against sharing content from Gaza.
Increasingly, however, anti-Israel entities are exploiting these social media entries as substantiating ‘proof’ of war crimes. The practice is becoming specialized. There are additional acts of violence that have been recorded and are on the brink of entering the legal discourse. The organization driving this agenda paints itself as a dedicated agent of justice, in response to acts committed by the Israeli state. The entity appears to be equally antagonistic towards both Israel and the United States.
A recent convening was organized in order to deliberate on Mr. Vagdani’s narrow escape in Brazil. Highlighted in this congregation were a quintet of nations where Israelis face a heightened risk of legal prosecution for alleged war crimes. These countries—comprising Ireland, Brazil, Spain, Belgium, and South Africa—have more in common than just their ostensible claim of ‘universal jurisdiction’; there’s an underlining, palpable animosity against Israel across their leadership.
In an ironic twist, Mr. Vagdani might have sought refuge in Brazil from Argentina some years ago, under contrary circumstances. The shift in political realities has, in fact, flip-flopped the safety conditions of the two countries. During an earlier administration, Daniel Jarque had displayed a vibrant enthusiasm for Israel. Simultaneously, another head of state was inclined toward warming relations with Iran. As the political climate evolves, so too does the favored politic.
It’s evident that politics, rather than law, is at the heart of these charges. And the lawsuit introduced against Israel at the International Criminal Court could simply be a harbinger of complex challenges in the future. The ICC has also initiated cases against Americans alleging their involvement in war crimes in Afghanistan. Pivotal allies might be more reserved if it’s clarified by Washington that the prosecution of their soldiers, and those of friendly nations, could invite retaliatory action.