Gal Ferenbook (left).
An Israeli soldier, Gal Ferenbook, who was accused by the Hind Rajab Foundation of war crimes, has fled Sri Lanka shortly after being identified according to Israeli broadcaster Channel 12.
The Hind Rajab Foundation, a prominent human rights organisation, revealed Ferenbook’s presence in Colombo and submitted an urgent appeal to Sri Lankan authorities, the International Criminal Court (ICC), and Interpol, demanding his arrest. The Foundation accuses Ferenbook of killing a Palestinian civilian in Gaza and desecrating the victim’s remains.
The accusations stem from a video Ferenbook reportedly shared on his Instagram account on August 9, 2024. In the video, Ferenbook is seen inside an armored personnel carrier in Gaza, displaying the remains of a deceased Palestinian civilian on a monitor. A second individual can be heard mocking the situation in Hebrew, referring to Ferenbook as a "terminator" while laughing. Ferenbook himself appears laugh.
Following the Foundation’s revelations, Ferenbook reportedly received an urgent call from Israeli authorities advising him to leave Colombo to avoid arrest. According to Channel 12, similar incidents have occurred in other countries, including Cyprus.
The Israeli military, while refusing to confirm whether Ferenbook would face disciplinary or criminal proceedings upon his return, stated, “The IDF does everything it can and uses all available means to protect its service members at home and abroad.”
Call for accountability
Today, the #HindRajabFoundation has formally sent the ICC complaint against Gal Ferenbook to the governments of #SouthAfrica, #Ireland, and #Spain, urging them to issue arrest warrants and request Interpol Red Notices should he leave #SriLanka freely. Gal Ferenbook, a soldier… pic.twitter.com/j8WoArM4Mv
— The Hind Rajab Foundation (@HindRFoundation) December 18, 2024
According to the Hind Rajab Foundation, the video and its embedded metadata confirm Ferenbook’s presence in Gaza and his involvement in actions that violate international humanitarian law, including:
Outrages upon personal dignity,
Willful killing of a protected person,
Destruction of civilian infrastructure without military necessity.
The Hind Rajab Foundation has taken several steps to hold Ferenbook accountable:
- Demand to Sri Lankan Authorities: Sri Lanka is urged to detain Ferenbook and cooperate with the ICC, despite its non-membership in the Rome Statute. The Foundation stressed that failure to act would perpetuate impunity for war crimes.
- Formal Complaint to the ICC: A submission under Article 15 of the Rome Statute calls for Ferenbook’s prosecution for war crimes, including willful killing and desecration of the deceased.
- Communication to Interpol: A request for a Red Notice has been issued to prevent Ferenbook from fleeing and to facilitate his arrest.
The Sayeret Golani unit, to which Ferenbook belongs, has faced repeated allegations of such actions during Israeli military operations. The Hind Rajab Foundation emphasised that this case reflects the deliberate dehumanisation of Palestinian victims and called for immediate action to ensure accountability.
More controversial Israeli presence in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan workers prepare to depart to Israel to replace Palestinian roles.
Ferenbook’s presence in Sri Lanka has reignited controversies surrounding the country’s relationship with Israel. Sri Lanka has continued to seek close relations with Israel, particularly in the aftermath of its offensive in Gaza.
Israeli tourists, including soldiers, have frequented the island as a holiday destination, reportedly stirring up some local discontent.
In September multiple embassies, including those of the United States, Russia, Britain, and Australia, issued travel warnings citing credible threats of attacks targeting tourist locations, particularly in Arugam Bay in the Eastern Province. A controversial Israeli community centre was identified as a potential target of a terrorist attack, confirmed by Sri Lankan police. Meanwhile, the United States Department of Justice unsealed criminal charges against a man allegedly tasked with planning a mass shooting to target Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s refusal to co-operate with the ICC
Tamil families of the disappeared demand Sri Lanka be referred to the ICC.
The chances of the Sri Lanka state working with the ICC however remain slim. Sri Lanka is not a party to the Rome Statute or a member of the court, largely due to its own history of atrocities committed against the Tamil people.
For years, Tamils have demanded Sri Lanka be taken to the ICC and individuals responsible for the genocide and massacres of Tamils held accountable.
Successive Sri Lankan govenrments, including the newly elected president Anura Kumara Dissanayake have stood staunchly against it.
The Hind Rajab Foundation however has urged swift action from the international community.
In a statement, the Foundation declared, “The video evidence makes it clear: Gal Ferenbook has blood on his hands. Not only did he desecrate the dignity of a deceased Palestinian civilian, but he also boasted about this unlawful killing. His presence in Sri Lanka presents a crucial opportunity to ensure accountability.”
While Sri Lanka’s lack of ICC membership presents a challenge, the Hind Rajab Foundation insists that the country has a moral obligation to act.
