In a bold move, prominent Australian and Palestinian legal groups have jointly called for a police investigation into the conduct of Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog, regarding his involvement in the recent conflict in Gaza. The groups argue that Australia is legally obligated to probe Herzog’s actions, which they allege amount to complicity in potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The demand for an investigation comes amidst growing international scrutiny of Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip, which have been widely condemned for disproportionate use of force and the targeting of civilian infrastructure. The legal groups contend that as a senior political figure, Herzog bears significant responsibility for the devastating consequences of the conflict.
“President Herzog was a key decision-maker during the military offensive in Gaza, and his public statements and actions suggest he was complicit in the commission of grave human rights abuses,” said Sarah Malik, a spokesperson for the Australian Centre for International Justice. “As a signatory to the Rome Statute, Australia has a duty to investigate any credible allegations of war crimes or crimes against humanity, regardless of the perpetrator’s position or nationality.”
The calls for investigation are based on evidence gathered by human rights organisations, which suggest that Herzog, in his capacity as President, actively endorsed and defended the Israeli military’s tactics in Gaza. This includes his public praise of the “moral and professional conduct” of the Israeli forces, even as reports emerged of civilian casualties and the destruction of homes, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure.
“The scale of death and destruction witnessed in Gaza during the conflict was horrific, and the evidence points to the systematic targeting of Palestinian civilians,” said Rami Nasrallah, the director of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. “President Herzog’s vocal support for the military operation, despite the clear violations of international law, makes him complicit in these alleged war crimes.”
The legal groups have called on the Australian Federal Police to open a formal investigation into Herzog’s role, citing the country’s obligations under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. They have also urged the Australian government to consider suspending any diplomatic or trade relations with Israel until a thorough inquiry is conducted.
The calls for investigation come at a sensitive time, as Israel and the Palestinian territories continue to grapple with the aftermath of the recent conflict. The legal battle is likely to be closely watched by the international community, as it raises questions about the accountability of senior political figures for their actions during times of war.
