Press Releases
12 November 2024
Short Link:
FIDH, Al-Haq, Al Mezan, PCHR and LDH had prepared a complaint that would have been lodged as soon as Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich arrived in France, where he was due to attend a gala organised by an association close to the Israeli far right. However, Bezalel Smotrich apparently preferred to cancel his visit, according to the Prefect of Paris, Laurent Nuñez. Beyond questions about the reasons for this cancellation, possibly linked to fear of legal action, this missed opportunity to call for Bezalel Smotrich's arrest in France should not obscure the importance of the fight against impunity for the crimes committed by Israel in Gaza.
Paris, November 12, 2024––FIDH, Al-Haq, Al Mezan, PCHR and LDH were ready to file a complaint with the Public Prosecutor's Office of the French War Crimes Unit against Bezalel Smotrich for complicity in torture. The Israeli Minister's presence was expected in France, where he planned to attend the gala organized in Paris by the association Israel is Forever, known for its links with the Israeli far-right and settler movements.
The crime of torture—the sole legal basis for filing a complaint under the universal jurisdiction mechanism against a suspect present in France—reflects every aspect of the daily life for the population of Gaza, who have been the victims of Israel’s genocidal campaign since 7 October 2023.
Since 7 October 2023, Israel has deliberately conducted relentless bombardments and attacks from land, air, and sea, enforced mass displacements, and systematically deprived 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza of medical care, humanitarian aid, and food leading to starvation—all of which constitute acts of collective torture. The complaint also described a persistent pattern in which thousands of Palestinians have been abducted from Gaza and placed in Israeli prisons and military detention camps, where they have been subjected to systematic and well-documented acts of torture. Finally, it called on the French judiciary to open a judicial inquiry and immediately arrest Bezalel Smotrich for complicity in torture.
“Israeli leaders must realise that the time for justice and accountability has come, and that they will not eternally be shielded from legal proceedings aimed at shedding light on their responsibilities for the crimes perpetrated against Palestinians in Gaza’, declared the organisations. “Justice and the fight against impunity for the perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture and enforced disappearances committed in Gaza must be at the center of the response to Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people. Judicial investigations must be opened wherever possible”.
Press Releases
From the war diaries
Diaries from the war
Press Statements
Israeli Attacks on Palestinians and Properties and Victims of Internal Violence, Monthly Statistical Report
ICC States Parties Must Fulfill Their Legal Obligations and Arrest Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Within Their Territory, Including Airspace
Trump’s Annexationist Plan for Mass Expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza Continues Israeli-U.S. Genocide
Al Mezan: Cancer Patients in Gaza Are Dying Without Care, Urgent Action Needed to Restore Local Healthcare System
Al Mezan Rejects Any Proposal for Forced Population Transfer from Gaza; Reaffirms Rights of Return for Palestinian IDPs and Refugees
Update on Dr. Abu Safiya’s Arbitrary Detention and Denial of Access to Legal Counsel, Referred to UN Special Procedures