PSPD in English Peace/Disarmament 2024-05-16 5979

Accuse 7 Israeli War Criminals

On Thursday, May 9th, People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy(PSPD), Asian Dignity Initiatives(ADI), and some 5,000 co-accusers filed criminal charges against seven individuals, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The charges include ▷Crime of Genocide ▷Crimes against Humanity ▷War Crimes against Persons ▷War crimes against Humanitarian Activities, Distinctive Emblems, etc. and ▷War Crimes Using Forbidden Means·Forbidden Weapons in connection with the genocide in Gaza. These charges were filed under 「the Act on Punishment of Crimes under Jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court」. The complaint agents are Attorney Lim Jaes-ung from Hammaroo Law Firm and Attorney Kim Nam-joo from Dodam Law Firm.

The accused include Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, Defense Minister Yoav Galant, Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, Foreign Minister Israel Katz, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Herzi Halevi.

PSPD, ADI, and 4,962 co-accusers around the world Charge 7 Israeli Officials Responsible for the ‘Genocide in Gaza’ with War Crimes and More

“Neither the United Nations nor the United States has any realistic options to stop Israel’s genocide against Palestinains in Gaza. Under these circumstances, for some 5,000 co-accusers to demand that the genocide be investigated and punished is a step forward in making the impossible possible in an era of anti-war activism. The complaint is 140 pages long. It chronicles the civilian casualties from October 7 to April 30 of the previous year. This relentless daily documentation of the massacre was a small, and perhaps belated, act of mourning and condolence for the tragedy in Gaza. The complaint details what happened and who was killed from the beginning of the massacre until recently.”

– Attorney Lim Jae-sung, Complaint Agent

“The indictment signifies that some 5,000 co-accusers have acknowledged that a genocide occurred in Gaza. They are not only mourning but also insisting that the perpetrators be harshly punished according to South Korean law. Common sense dictates that even when war crimes are committed outside of South Korea, they should be investigated according to the law and principles, and the perpetrators should be punished according to the severity of the crime.”

– Lee Dong-hwa, Team Manager, ADI

Between April 15 and May 8, PSPD and ADI recruited 4,962 co-accusers. The co-accusers included a Member of the National Assembly Kang Min-jung from the Democratic Party of Korea, a Member of the National Assembly Yoon Mi-hyang (Independent), Yonsei University Professor Emeritus Moon Jung-in, former Seoul Metropolitan Government Superintendent Kwak No-hyun, the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul Professor Kim Sung-kyung, and peace scholar Jung Heejin. They have been actively advocating for peace issues in South Korean society. They also included refugees from Gaza strip, the Palestinian territory where the ongoing conflict is occurring.

Saleh Rantisi, a refugee from Gaza, said, “Israel has killed over 34,000 people in Gaza, most of them children and women. For the sake of truth and justice, I support the campaign and hope that the war criminals will be held accountable.” Also joining the complaint was South Korean citizen Mi-hyeon Lee, who said, “As a member of the international community, Yoon Suk-yul’s government should take responsible action against the Israeli war criminals!” Kim Bora, another South Korean citizen joining the complaint, expressed, “I felt helpless watching the Israeli massacre. I didn’t know there was such a justice system. The Israeli responsible for these killings must be punished severely.”

The seven suspects, who currently hold the highest positions in Israel, including Prime Minister, President, Minister of Defense, Minister of National Security, Foreign Minister, Minister of Finance, and IDF Chief of Staff, are co-conspirators in planning and directing Crime of Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, War Crimes against Persons, War crimes against Humanitarian Activities, Distinctive Emblems, etc. and, War Crimes Using Forbidden Means·Forbidden Weapons committed in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023.

Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza has persisted for over 200 days, leading to a death toll surpassing 34,000. Moreover, during ceasefire negotiations, Israel is attempting a ground operation in Rafah that is strongly condemned by the world, including the United States. This operation has resulted in massive civilian casualties and destruction. These are clear war crimes and can never be justified. Those who planned, ordered, and incited the massacre must be held accountable and punished. PSPD and ADI state that they are filing the complaint out of a desperate need to halt the Gaza massacre at all costs and are urging a comprehensive investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation.

Suspects