The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) is a grantmaking nonprofit that advocates for Palestinian nationalism and opposes Israel. The organization claims it is attempting to “[break] the cycle of Israeli impunity” and to honor the memories of those who “perished in the Gaza genocide,” including Hind Rajab, a child who died during the ongoing Israel-Hamas War. 1 The group has tracked hundreds of Israeli soldiers’ activities and has requested the arrest of Israelis while they vacationed abroad. 2 A man identified as HRF’s head, Dyab Ahou Jahjah, was a member of the Lebanon-based terrorist group Hezbollah. 3 4
Background
The Hind Rajab Foundation is an offshoot of the March 30 Movement. 5 It brings legal action against Israelis that it alleges are responsible for “atrocities” committed against Palestinians, “including perpetrators, accomplices and incites of violence.” 5 Additionally, the group focuses on its international awareness campaign regarding “ongoing injustices faced by Palestinians.” 5
The group sent the names of over 1,000 Israeli soldiers to the International Criminal Court. 6 In an article that HRF head Dyab Ahou Jahjah wrote for The Nation published on December 11, 2024, he claimed that his group had “submitted legal complaints and petitions to prosecutors’ offices in eight countries against 28 individuals for war crimes and crimes against humanity.” 4
HRF is named after a five-year-old Palestinian girl who was allegedly killed in Gaza. 7 It is registered as a nonprofit in Belgium. 5
Activities
In January 2025, the Hind Rajab Foundation, through lawyer Maira Pinheiro, filed a complaint demanding war crime charges be brought against an Israeli Solider vacationing in Brazil, forcing him to leave the country. 2 Due to HRF’s complaint, Brazilian police investigated the soldier and accused him of “participating in massive demolitions of civilian homes in Gaza during a systematic campaign of destruction.” 2
On January 13, 2025, HRF submitted a request to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the arrest of Ghassan Alian, the Israeli Defense Forces’ (IDFs) Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, while he was on vacation in Rome, even contacting local Italian authorities to carry out his arrest. 7 The group alleged that Alian oversaw a “total blockade of Gaza, weaponizing famine and targeting civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, in acts amounting to genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.” 7
On January 15, 2025, the HRF claimed to have filed a formal complaint against Guy Azran, a member of the IDF’s Givati Brigade, with the ICC and sent a request for Azran’s arrest to Thai authorities when they claimed he was vacationing in Thailand. HRF claims that Azran committed war crimes in July 2024 in Gaza City. 8
In January 2025, the group also filed complaints with Swedish authorities against Israeli sniper Boaz Ben David from the Nahal Brigade and with Argentine authorities against Latak Platoon commander Amit Nechmya in the Givati Brigade’s Rotem Battalion, through lawyer Rodolfo Yanzon. 8
Leadership
No leadership is listed on the Hind Rijab Foundation’s website. In an article that Dyab Ahou Jahjah wrote for The Nation published on December 11, 2024, he was identified as the head of HRF. 4 Jahjah said he had joined the Lebanon-based terrorist faction Hezbollah in a 2003 New York Times profile. 3
References
- “The Hind Rajab Foundation.” THE HIND RAJAB FOUNDATION, 2025, www.hindrajabfoundation.org/.
- Karni, Dana, and Tim Lister. “Israeli Soldiers Face Growing Risk of Arrest Abroad after Gaza Service.” CNN, 5 Jan. 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/01/05/world/israel-gaza-soldiers-arrest-war-crimes-intl/index.html.
- Simons, Marlise. “THE SATURDAY PROFILE; an Outspoken Arab in Europe: Demon or Hero?” The New York Times, 1 Mar. 2003, www.nytimes.com/2003/03/01/world/the-saturday-profile-an-outspoken-arab-in-europe-demon-or-hero.html.
- Abou Jahjah, Dyab. “Netanyahu Must Be Brought to Justice. But We Can’t Stop There.” The Nation, 11 Dec. 2024, www.thenation.com/article/world/israel-war-crimes-charges-hind-rajab-foundation/.
- “About Us.” THE HIND RAJAB FOUNDATION, 2025, www.hindrajabfoundation.org/about-us.html.
- “War Crimes – Hind Rajab Foundation Sends 1,000 Israeli Soldiers’ Names to ICC.” Palestine Chronicle, 11 Jan. 2025, www.palestinechronicle.com/war-crimes-hind-rajab-foundation-sends-1000-israeli-soldiers-names-to-icc/
- i24NEWS. “Anti-Israel Foundation Goes after Israeli General in Italy.” I24NEWS, i24news, 13 Jan. 2025, www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/artc-anti-israel-foundation-goes-after-israeli-general-in-italy.
- “Perpetrators.” The Hind Rajab Foundation, 2025, www.hindrajabfoundation.org/perpetrators.