Request for the arrest of Netanyahu adviser

The organizations Defend International Law, Jewish Voices for a Just Peace, and The Palestine Committee of Norway have submitted a request for the arrest of Israeli citizen Hananya Naftali, who is visiting Norway to participate in events organized by With Israel for Peace (MIFF) and the political party Konservativt.

– He is hereby reported for complicity in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, says Kjell Brygfjeld, lawyer and board member of Defend International Law.

– Naftali has served as a soldier in Gaza both during the 2014 war and during the ongoing genocide in Gaza, says Line Khateeb, leader of The Palestine Committee.

– The police must urgently investigate whether Naftali has contributed to crimes against humanity or war crimes, she continues.

Naftali is an Israeli citizen and is described as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s social media advisor. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu.

– Israeli soldiers who have participated in, contributed to, or incited genocide should not be able to travel freely to Norway without being held accountable, says Yonatan Shapira of Jewish Voices.

– Naftali himself boasts on social media about his contributions and incites war crimes, he adds.

In the complaint, the organizations point out that Naftali disseminates Israeli propaganda and genocidal incitement claiming the entire population of Gaza are terrorists and legitimate targets, and that he encourages viewing children in Gaza as terrorists and legitimate targets. He has celebrated Israeli attacks on hospitals and other civilian targets.

– These statements must be interpreted in light of his role as media advisor to the Prime Minister, and his role as a soldier in the army, concludes Kjell Brygfjeld of Defend International Law.

Australia has introduced a requirement for pre-approval before Israeli citizens are granted visas, in order to assess whether they have contributed to war crimes. The Palestine Committee wants a similar system in Norway.

– There must be consequences for contributing to systematic attacks on health workers or using starvation as a weapon. We must ensure that Norway does not become a safe haven for Israeli war criminals, says Line Khateeb from The Palestine Committee.