The Hind Rajab Foundation’s controversial anti-Israel soldier campaign
The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), a Brussels-based non-profit and legal arm of the March 30 Movement, has positioned itself as a champion of justice, seeking accountability for alleged war crimes committed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza. However, its leadership’s ties to extremist ideologies and controversial actions have raised questions about its true objectives. A recent legal complaint filed by HRF in Portugal highlighted the organization’s broader activities and affiliations.
The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), established in September 2024 as a non-profit under Belgian law, has garnered attention for its legal efforts to hold Israeli soldiers accountable for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Named after a six-year-old Palestinian girl killed during an Israeli military operation in January 2024, the HRF operates as the legal arm of the March 30 Movement, a group founded to address perceived injustices in Palestine. The organization’s stated mission is to end what it describes as “Israeli impunity” for violations of international law, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Today, the HRF released that filed a legal complaint in Portugal against Israeli soldier Dani Adonya Adega, accusing him of participating in what the foundation calls Israel’s “genocidal campaign in Gaza.” The complaint alleges that Adega was involved in serious violations of international law, including targeted killings of civilians during a ceasefire and the appropriation of civilian property for military use. The HRF claims to have gathered evidence after detecting Adega’s presence in Lisbon, where he was allegedly photographed and geolocated without his consent. The foundation urged Portuguese authorities to arrest Adega immediately and initiate criminal proceedings under international law principles.
The HRF’s broader campaign involves collecting publicly available information, primarily from social media, to build cases against IDF soldiers. The organization has submitted complaints against approximately 1,000 soldiers to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and pursued legal action in countries including Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Cyprus, France, Germany, Nepal, the Netherlands, Romania, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the UK. Notable cases include a complaint against IDF soldier Yuval Vagdani in Brazil, which led to a court-ordered investigation, though Vagdani fled to Argentina with assistance from the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Another case targeted Lieutenant Colonel Beni Aharon, whom the HRF accuses of commanding the unit responsible for Hind Rajab’s death.
The HRF’s efforts rely heavily on open-source intelligence, such as videos and photos posted by soldiers, which the organization claims depict war crimes, including the destruction of civilian property, looting, and the mistreatment of prisoners. According to HRF co-founder Dyab Abou Jahjah, the group aims to create a “historical record” of alleged Israeli atrocities, ensuring accountability through national courts with universal jurisdiction and the ICC. The foundation’s lawyer, Haroon Raza, has stated that their goal is to prosecute “everyone who is directly or indirectly responsible for war crimes and genocide in Gaza.”
However, the HRF’s credibility is under scrutiny due to the controversial backgrounds of its leaders, Dyab Abou Jahjah and Karim Hassoun. Both have a history of involvement with the Arab European League (AEL), a now-dissolved organization criticized for publishing antisemitic cartoons and Holocaust denial content, for which it was fined by a Dutch court in 2010. Abou Jahjah, a Belgian-Lebanese activist, has been linked to Hezbollah, having admitted to receiving military training from the group in his youth, though he later denied active membership. He has also expressed support for Hamas and justified the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, referring to it as a legitimate act of resistance. In 2009, he organized visits for Hezbollah’s political leadership to European countries, including the UK. Hassoun, the HRF’s secretary, has similarly praised Hamas, controversially stating in December 2023 that he “condemned” the group for not taking more hostages during the October 7 attack. Both individuals signed a 2009 appeal to remove Hamas and other Palestinian groups from the EU’s list of proscribed terrorist organizations.
Critics have accused the HRF of ties to Hezbollah’s financial networks, citing connections between Abou Jahjah and individuals designated by the US as Hezbollah financiers. A February 2025 report by The Jerusalem Post alleged that Abou Jahjah and Hassoun co-own a company, Bellezza BV, with no apparent legitimate activity, raising suspicions of illicit funding. The HRF’s lack of financial transparency, as noted by NGO Monitor, further fuels concerns about its operations.
The HRF’s activities highlight the complex intersection of international law, social media, and geopolitical tensions. The campaign has yet to result in arrests, but their actions border on “doxxing,” endangering soldiers by publicizing their personal information. While the organization claims to pursue justice for Palestinian victims, its leaders’ extremist affiliations and lack of transparency raise significant questions about its motives and methods. As the HRF continues its global legal campaign, the debate over accountability, impunity, and the ethics of targeting individuals abroad remains unresolved.
