The South African Civil Society Information Service

South Africans Fought in Gaza War
2 Nov 2009

Efforts to prosecute those who may have committed war crimes in Israel's war on Gaza have spread beyond the Middle East to South Africa reports Imran Garda of Al Jazeera News.

Lawyers working on behalf of two pro-Palestinian  groups in South Africa are compiling evidence, which shows that South African nationals fought for the Israeli Defence Force in Operation Cast Lead against Gaza during December 08/Jan 09.

The  lawyers have identified at least 75 South Africans who fought in the IDF and believe that there is prima-facie evidence against all of them

For example, Al Jazeera reports that the Facebook profile of a  23-year old South African male contains photographs of his involvement in the IDF during the onslaught on Gaza. One picture is particularly disconcerting. It shows the man holding Israeli bombs with the caption: "These are presents for the residents of Gaza."

South Africa, as a signatory to the Rome Statute, could theoretically arrest and prosecute these individuals for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. 

However, even if that can't be proven, South African law forbids any citizen from fighting for a foreign country without express government permission.

For further reporting on this story from Garda, please click here.

Editor's Note: To watch an interview with Judge Richard Goldstone responding to criticism leveled against the Goldstone Report on Gaza, please click here for part one and here for part two.

You can find this page online at http://sacsis.org.za/site/article/184.19.