The Hind Rajab Foundation filed a criminal complaint in Germany against former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, accusing him of war crimes during the Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip in 2008-2009. year, known as Operation “Cast Lead”, the foundation announced on Wednesday, reports Anadolu.
German lawyer Melanie Schweizer filed the complaint with the Berlin Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Federal Prosecutor’s Office in Karlsruhe, which handles matters of international crimes under Germany’s Crimes Against International Law (VStGB), the foundation said in a statement.
Olmert is scheduled to appear on November 6 in Berlin at the Haaretz Democracy Conference.
The foundation pointed out that Olmert, as prime minister from 2006 to 2009, had ultimate responsibility for Israeli military operations in Gaza, which, according to their claims, led to the deaths of more than 1,300 Palestinians, including more than 300 children, and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure.
Human rights organizations, including the UN Mission of Inquiry (Goldstone Report), Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have previously documented alleged illegal attacks, the use of white phosphorus in populated areas and restrictions on humanitarian aid during the conflict.
The application, citing the principle of command responsibility, accuses Olmert of authorizing, failing to prevent or failing to prosecute actions that, according to the foundation, constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The foundation called on the German authorities to launch an investigation, issue an arrest warrant and prevent Olmert from leaving the country.
German law allows courts to prosecute serious international crimes, regardless of the place of commission or the nationality of the suspects.
– The victims of Gaza deserve justice, no matter how much time has passed – said Dyab Abou Jahjah, general director of the Hind Rajab Foundation.
– Those responsible for war crimes must know that responsibility has no expiration date and that the world is approaching the end of impunity – he said.
(Vijesti.ba)
