Pro-Palestinian Group Files Criminal Complaint to Detain Israeli Academic in Netherlands
On July 27, 2023, the pro-Palestinian organization Hind Rajab Foundation, known for pursuing IDF soldiers internationally, announced it had filed an urgent criminal complaint in the Netherlands against L.H., an Israeli academic and IDF reservist. The complaint, submitted jointly with the European Legal Support Center (ELSC), accuses L.H. of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide during his service in the Gaza Strip. L.H., affiliated with the debate society at Ben-Gurion University, is currently in the Netherlands serving as a judge at the European Universities Debating Championship (EUDC) held at Utrecht University from July 27 to 31, 2023.
The complaint alleges that L.H. publicly documented his actions as an armored corps soldier in Gaza on social media, including videos showing the destruction of a school building in Rafah. One video reportedly features him sarcastically saying, "Hello everyone, I’m going to the school. How fun, how exciting," followed by footage of the building’s demolition with the caption, "The school year ended earlier than expected. Urgent, what’s the number for The Hague?" The organizations claim that his posts from 2025 portrayed the destruction of civilian infrastructure as entertainment and that his reference to the International Criminal Court in The Hague indicates awareness of the legal implications of his actions.
Additionally, the complaint states that during his stay in the Netherlands, L.H. mocked pro-Palestinian protesters, calling them "pathetic." The groups criticize Dutch authorities for not taking action against him yet and express concern that he might leave the country before a decision is made. Natasha Brak, head of litigation at HRF, said, "L.H. not only participated but also celebrated and mocked it. His presence in the Netherlands offers a unique opportunity to enforce international law." The EUDC is a prestigious academic debate competition that annually gathers hundreds of students, judges, and coaches from leading European universities.
The case highlights ongoing international efforts by pro-Palestinian groups to hold Israeli military personnel accountable for alleged war crimes. The outcome of the complaint and any legal proceedings in the Netherlands remain pending as the debate championship continues.