'Israel' sanctions Hind Rajab Foundation leaders amid escalating legal battles
'Israel' has issued a sanctions list targeting 50 individuals, with the leadership of the Brussels-based Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) prominently featured, according to a statement released by the organization on social media platform X.
The foundation's Chairman, Dyab Abou Jahjah, co-founders Karim Hassoun and Haroon Raza, and three lawyers associated with their work are at the top of the list.
Israeli Hasbara Alert
— The Hind Rajab Foundation (@HindRFoundation) July 5, 2025
Israel has issued a sanctions list targeting 50 individuals. At the very top are our Chairman Dyab Abou Jahjah and co-founders Karim Hassoun and Haroon Raza, followed by three lawyers who have worked with the #HindRajabFoundation.
This escalation is… pic.twitter.com/0icf8eL8zj
The sanctions come as the Hind Rajab Foundation increasingly pursues legal action against 'Israeli' officials and soldiers in various international jurisdictions, war crimes and human rights violations in the Gaza Strip.
The HRF stated that this move by 'Israel' is "not coincidental" and follows "the success of our legal filing in Peru and the growing international traction of our cases."
In May 2025, Peru initiated a formal criminal investigation into an 'Israeli' soldier accused of participating in the destruction of civilian neighborhoods in Gaza, following a complaint filed by the HRF. This marked a significant development for the foundation, which has filed numerous complaints in countries like Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and the UK, and also submitted a complaint to the International Criminal Court (ICC) against over 1,000 'Israeli' soldiers and high-ranking officials.
The Hind Rajab Foundation, named after six-year-old Palestinian Hind Rajab who was killed in Gaza, was established in 2024 with the stated mission of challenging 'Israeli' impunity regarding alleged war crimes. The organization actively gathers evidence, often from social media posts by 'Israeli' soldiers, to build its cases.
In its statement, the HRF expressed concern over an impending "large-scale Hasbara (propaganda) campaign" aimed at delegitimizing the foundation and creating confusion. They urged supporters to "remain vigilant, principled, and focused," asserting that the sanctions are a clear indication that 'Israel' views their work as a "serious threat to its impunity."
"Their attacks are the clearest sign that our work is making a real impact," the HRF stated, vowing not to be intimidated or divided and to continue their efforts to "hold them accountable."
While the 'Israeli' government has not publicly commented on this specific sanctions list, previous reports indicate that 'Israeli' officials are aware of and follow the HRF's activities, though some downplay their overall impact. However, the 'Israeli' military has reportedly implemented new rules regarding soldiers' social media use to prevent doxxing and potential legal repercussions abroad.
The imposition of sanctions on the HRF's leadership highlights the escalating legal and political tensions surrounding accountability for actions in the Gaza war, as human rights organizations increasingly leverage international legal frameworks to challenge perceived impunity.
