Israeli Soldier Responsible for the Death of a Palestinian Civilian Located in Colombo, Sri Lanka: Hind Rajab Foundation Files Urgent Complaint. Demands Arrest and Prosecution 17/12/2024

Gal Ferenbook (left with glasses) on board of the APC with the monitor behind him.

​Colombo- Sri Lanka, The Hind Rajab Foundation has located Gal Ferenbook, an Israeli soldier responsible for the death of a Palestinian civilian and the degrading treatment of their body, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Foundation has formally demanded that Sri Lankan authorities arrest him immediately and cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC). A formal complaint has also been submitted to the ICC, and the case has been communicated to Interpol to issue an international Red Notice for his apprehension.

The Incident and Evidence

​On August 9, 2024, Gal Ferenbook, a member of Company B, Sayeret Golani, publicly shared a video on his Instagram account that shows: Mr. Ferenbook inside an armored personnel carrier (APC) in Gaza, looking at the remains of a deceased Palestinian civilian on the vehicle’s monitor.

A second individual’s voice, speaking in Hebrew, mocks the situation and refers to Mr. Ferenbook as:“We are here with Gal Foundouk (nickname of Mr. Ferenbook) Our terminator! Here, here are the remains of the body! [laughs] and here’s the terminator!”

Mr. Ferenbook can be seen laughing proudly, treating the deceased as a war trophy and boasting about his involvement in the killing.

The video, combined with its contextual evidence and embedded metadata, confirms:

• Mr. Ferenbook’s presence in Gaza during Israeli military operations,
• His involvement in actions that violate international humanitarian law, including outrage upon personal dignity of the deceased.
• The mocking and celebratory tone strongly suggest Mr. Ferenbook’s direct responsibility for the unlawful killing of a Palestinian civilian and further document the destruction of civilian infrastructure outside of military necessity.

Legal Actions Taken

The Hind Rajab Foundation has taken the following steps to ensure justice:

1. Formal Demand to Sri Lankan Authorities: A demand has been officially communicated to Sri Lankan law enforcement and relevant ministries to arrest and detain Gal Ferenbook while facilitating cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC). Sri Lanka is urged to act under international legal principles, including the prohibition of impunity for war crimes.

2. Complaint to the International Criminal Court (ICC): The Foundation has submitted a formal complaint under Article 15 of the Rome Statute, requesting the ICC to open an investigation into Gal Ferenbook for:

• Outrages upon personal dignity (Article 8(2)(b)(xxi)),
• Willful killing of a protected person (Article 8(2)(a)(i)),
• Destruction of civilian infrastructure without military necessity (Article 8(2)(b)(ii)).

3. Communication to Interpol: A request has been sent to Interpol to issue an international Red Notice for the immediate apprehension of Gal Ferenbook.

Broader Context of Systematic War Crimes

This case reflects a systematic pattern of violations committed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including:

• Extrajudicial killings of civilians,
• Desecration and degrading treatment of deceased individuals,
• Unlawful destruction of civilian infrastructure.

The Sayeret Golani, an elite reconnaissance unit of the Golani Brigade, has been repeatedly implicated in similar violations during Israeli military operations in Gaza. This incident further highlights the deliberate dehumanization of Palestinian victims, which constitutes war crimes under international law.

The Hind Rajab Foundation’s Position

​The Hind Rajab Foundation demands swift action from all relevant authorities:

1. Sri Lankan Authorities: Arrest and detain Gal Ferenbook immediately and facilitate cooperation with the ICC.
2. International Criminal Court: Investigate and prosecute Mr. Ferenbook for war crimes under the Rome Statute.
3. Interpol: Issue a Red Notice to prevent the suspect from fleeing and ensure he faces justice.

"The video evidence makes it clear: Gal Ferenbook has blood on his hands. Not only he desecrated the dignity of a deceased Palestinian civilian but also boasts and takes credit for this unlawful killing. His presence in Sri Lanka presents a crucial opportunity to ensure accountability. Sri Lankan authorities, the ICC, and Interpol must act swiftly to bring this war criminal to justice and send a message that impunity for such atrocities will not be tolerated."

On December 19, Israeli media are reporting that war criminal Gal Ferenbook fled Sri Lanka after the Hind Rajab Foundation filed a case against him. The Fundation wrote on their X account : "If they truly believed they had nothing to fear from legal action, why are they running? Why leave? They just need to hire a lawyer and face justice. Fleeing like thieves in the night is a tacit confession of guilt."

Sources : Hind Rajab Fundation The report from Israeli channel 12 is here