An Israeli soldier, who survived the October 7 Nova festival massacre and subsequently participated in military operations in Gaza, departed Brazil today (Sunday) after a federal court issued an investigation order against him on suspicion of genocide and crimes against humanity. The investigation stemmed from a complaint filed by a pro-Palestinian organization. The soldier had been vacationing in Brazil when the order was issued.
The father of the soldier told Israel Hayom, "Let us first have him return to the country. We're waiting for him to return to the country. We're okay, we're fighters. Everything will be alright."
The soldier, a survivor of the Nova party, was on vacation in Brazil when a federal court in the country issued an investigation order against him on suspicion of participation in murder and crimes against humanity. The soldier's family, who served in Gaza, lives in the Sharon region. Family members said that the soldier managed to escape from Brazil the moment he realized he would be taken for questioning regarding alleged war crimes. The family is in contact with him but prefers not to disclose where he fled. According to family members, he is expected to return to Israel soon.
Shlomi Abutbul, whose son is traveling abroad with the soldier, said: "Five friends were together. They were on Morro Island in Brazil, where there are many Israelis who survived Nova. They enjoyed parties and peaceful life for two weeks until yesterday when a call came from the consul, saying there was an arrest warrant against the soldier and that he had to fly out of there quickly. The friends unanimously decided not to leave him alone. That night they received assistance and crossed the border into Argentina."
Abutbul added that the last conversation with his son was at five in the morning. "They said they were in Argentina and everything was fine. When I spoke to my son, I suggested he continue the trip in Argentina and not come home. Coming home is a prize for the Palestinians, and they would also ruin their trip. I'm not worried now. At first, I was worried and told them to cross the border. When I understood that they were helped to cross the border, I calmed down."
In a related development in Israel, the Ima Era (Awake Mother) organization, representing mothers of combat soldiers, delivered a strongly worded letter today to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi regarding the Brazilian authorities' investigation. The mothers expressed serious concern that unclear governmental policies and inflammatory statements by cabinet ministers are exposing soldiers to international legal jeopardy.
"The IDF has been conducting operations for 15 months without clear objectives or strategy due to the government's failure to establish definitive policies," the letter emphasizes. "This has resulted in a prolonged, exhausting campaign that not only drains our soldiers but also creates space for extreme viewpoints to penetrate both the IDF internally and the global perception externally."
The mothers highlight the government's inadequate response to repeated warnings about soldiers' vulnerability to international legal action. "Israel's government has chosen willful ignorance, allowing the chaos instigated by its most radical ministers to expand unchecked," their letter states.
At a recent emergency gathering of reserve commanders two weeks ago, participants cautioned that IDF personnel and defense officials would face increased risk of overseas arrest should the Israeli judicial system's independence be compromised. Former Attorney General Avichay Mendelblit, who previously served as chief military advocate general, echoed these concerns during the conference.
בברזיל פתחו בחקירה נגד תייר ישראלי שביקר במדינה ושירת בצה"ל במהלך המלחמה. הוא נאשם ב"פשעי מלחמה"- ולגודל האבסורד מדובר בבחור שניצל מהטבח במסיבת הנובה, אבל אותו מאשימים בפשעי מלחמה!!!
לא מפתיע אותי כשמדובר במדינה כמו ברזיל שהנשיא האנטישמי שלה לולה האשים את ישראל ברצח עם, טען… pic.twitter.com/nytExnNCCm— יוסף חדאד - Yoseph Haddad (@YosephHaddad) January 5, 2025
Public diplomacy representative Yoseph Haddad addressed the situation on his X platform account, characterizing Brazil's actions as antisemitic. "This behavior is predictable from a country like Brazil, led by an antisemitic president, Lula, who has accused Israel of genocide, compared IDF operations to Hitler's actions, and absurdly claimed Israel killed 12 million children in Gaza (demonstrating an astounding level of ignorance)."
