Full Breakdown
Hind Rajab Foundation Files Criminal Complaint Against Israeli Foreign Minister Ahead of Embassy Opening in Ljubljana
9/8/2026, 6:33:01 AM
HRF Files Complaint Prior to Diplomatic Visit
On 7 September 2026, the pro-Palestinian Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) submitted a criminal complaint to the Ljubljana District Prosecutor’s Office and local police accusing Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar of responsibility for war crimes, genocide and torture related to the Gaza conflict. The filing precedes Sa’ar’s scheduled attendance at the inauguration of a new Israeli embassy in Ljubljana on 9 and 10 September 2026.
Background of the Legal Action
HRF has previously lodged complaints against Sa’ar in February 2025 ahead of his visit to Brussels and in April 2025 before a trip to London. The organization argues that universal jurisdiction, as recognized in Slovenian law, allows domestic courts to prosecute alleged international crimes regardless of where they occurred or the diplomatic status of the accused.
Allegations Relating to Gaza Operations
The complaint cites several specific incidents:
- The attack on Kamal Adwan Hospital in North Gaza between 8 October 2024 and 27 December 2024.
- The arrest and alleged torture of Dr. Hossam Abu Safiyeh, the hospital’s director, on 27 December 2024.
- The broader destruction of civilian infrastructure, mass displacement of Gaza’s population, and the imposition of a blockade that restricted food, water, fuel and medical supplies.
HRF contends that these actions meet the legal definitions of willful killing, torture, extensive destruction of property, intentional attacks on civilians and hospitals, and the use of starvation as a method of warfare, thereby constituting genocide under the Rome Statute and the Genocide Convention.
Official Responses and Legal Context
As of the filing date, Slovenian authorities have not indicated whether they will open formal proceedings, and the Israeli Foreign Ministry has not issued a response. HRF’s Head of Litigation, Natacha Bracq, emphasized that diplomatic immunity should not shield officials from accountability under international law.
Potential Implications
If Slovenian prosecutors decide to pursue the case, it could set a precedent for applying universal jurisdiction to high-ranking officials of foreign governments, potentially influencing how diplomatic visits are managed in the context of alleged international crimes. Conversely, a decision not to proceed may reinforce the perception that diplomatic status limits legal exposure for officials involved in contested military operations.
