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IDF troops operating during Israel's Gaza offensive.
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Lawyers in EU draw up list of alleged IDF war criminals
By Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Gaza War 

Human rights lawyers and pro-Palestinian activists in a number of European countries hold lists with names of Israel Defense Forces soldiers allegedly linked to war crimes committed during Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip. Existing legislation enables arrest warrants to be issued against these officers if they enter those countries.

Lawyers in Britain and other European countries have been collecting testimonies of Palestinians and other data from Gaza since January, which they maintain proves that war crimes were committed by the IDF during the offensive. The evidence is linked to IDF officers holding ranks of battalion commander and higher, who were in command during various stages of Cast Lead.

The other nations who have lawyers collecting information on the matter include the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and Norway, whose laws, as well as Britain's, allow the issuance of arrest warrants against foreign citizens suspected of war crimes.
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Attorney Daniel Makover from London is coordinating the efforts in Britain. One of his colleagues visited the Gaza Strip several weeks after the fighting in order to collect testimonies. Palestinians civilians also gave the legal assistant their approval, and asked that he file the suits in their name, in line with British law.

Speaking to Haaretz, Makover refused to offer details on the identity of the IDF officers or how many were listed, but said that much depends on the specific details of each case. Makover said that anyone who was involved in an incident may face criminal charges. The attorney added that there are officers who are obviously candidates for charges, and others who are less obvious, but emphasized that it depends on the facts collected on the ground.

Makover said that the Goldstone report on the fighting in the Gaza Strip will bolster the efforts of the activists, and said that some of the instances mentioned in the report were already known to the attorneys. Makover is part of an unofficial network of attorneys operating in various countries in Europe, exchanging and sharing information so that suspected officers may be arrested in those countries.

The information is often received from pro-Palestinian activists who follow Jewish or pro-Israel groups that invite IDF officers to deliver lectures. In some instances, this information is relayed to border controls. Makover said that a small number of names of IDF officers is already on a British police watch list, and that when they arrive in Britain the authorities will issue an arrest warrant that will lead to their possible detention.

A number of human rights groups are busy working to create an international organization that would enable closer surveillance of those they suspect of war crimes and torture, as well as seek warrants for their arrest.

The IDF did not wish to specify the instructions it has given to officers before they travel abroad. In practice, many of the officers who participated in the Gaza operation have been asked to consult with legal experts at the Foreign Ministry, where they are instructed how to behave abroad and where they need to lower the profile of their identity; in some cases they are advised not to visit certain countries.

The Foreign Ministry released a statement saying: "The ministry is aware of efforts undertaken by Palestinian groups and their supporters to harm IDF officers through legal and public relations means, and is working to prevent such efforts."


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      1.   Excellent News! 02:15  |  p. 27/10/09
      2.   IDF OFFICERS 02:23  |  DUBLINER 27/10/09
      3.   First they go after the officers, then the soldiers. 02:25  |  Joseph Blough 27/10/09
      4.   Not "harm" them - bring them to justice... 02:33  |  BBSNews 27/10/09
      5.   EU lawyers 02:38  |  John Spear 27/10/09
      6.   You were warned 03:19  |  Chris Linthwaite 27/10/09
      7.   Correction to your article before the Brit bashing starts 03:19  |  Joshua 27/10/09
      8.   We hear your threat and we raise you 04:17  |  LA 27/10/09
      9.   Is there any Arab war criminals list ? 04:42  |  Vladimir 27/10/09
      10.   Israel is not allowed to defend itself like any other nation 04:45  |  Edward 27/10/09
      11.   What about war criminals from many other countries? 04:49  |  judith 27/10/09
      12.   First of all, stop calling them HR orgs. These are pro-Pal orgs 04:50  |  Dan 27/10/09
      13.   2nd, we have 20000 names of Pal terrorists who murdered Jews 04:51  |  Dan 27/10/09
      14.   3rd, Gazan anti-Israe testimonials are pure garbage 04:52  |  Dan 27/10/09
      15.   we are making a list checking it twice 04:56  |  santa hamas 27/10/09
      16.   How about collecting names of terror masterminds in Gaza? 05:14  |  Joseph 27/10/09
      17.   Dan 06:12  |  save the world 27/10/09
      18.   numbers game 06:18  |  Oren 27/10/09
      19.   War Crimes and Accountability 06:19  |  Raphael 27/10/09
      20.   Protocol of the Eldars of Zion 06:29  |  Baruch Gold 27/10/09
      21.   For years these governments did nothing to arrest Arab terrorists 07:01  |  McQueen 27/10/09
      22.   Are you serious? 07:21  |  Sue 27/10/09
      23.   judith 07:48  |  potobac 27/10/09
      24.   Save the World 08:03  |  RF 27/10/09
      25.   Does international law allow the arrest of... 08:20  |  Richard 27/10/09
      26.   EU lawyers 08:31  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 27/10/09
      27.   Mark, from yesterday, we, the proud zionists 08:48  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 27/10/09
      28.   #10 Richard 08:55  |  Avi 27/10/09
      29.   easily cleared up. Names of wittness reveal far more 09:28  |  jo 27/10/09
      30.   To Vladimir 09:29  |  Anne 27/10/09
      31.   Human rights groups? ICRC where are you ? 09:31  |  lily 27/10/09
      32.   Human Rights? What about continuous calls for the 09:33  |  lily 27/10/09
      33.   #12 Avi - I think its you that`s dreaming 09:37  |  Richard 27/10/09
      34.   EU lawyers draw up list of IDF officers... 10:09  |  David Nigel Braham 27/10/09
      35.   Eye witnesses and dead bodies are more than heresay, court needed 10:19  |  Bloodyscot 27/10/09
      36.   People drawing up lists of so called war crimes in Gaza 10:26  |  sal 27/10/09
      37.   ARABS with money & useful idiots can harass.Goldstone admitted 10:26  |  PETER SM 27/10/09
      38.   British war criminals 10:28  |  Jorge 27/10/09
      39.   CORRECTION these lawyers are from the EU but NOT acting for EU 10:34  |  PETER SM 27/10/09
      40.   A question of Egypt does come to mind. 10:34  |  Stephen. 27/10/09
      41.   EU lawyers 10:35  |  Baruch 27/10/09
      42.   All war criminals from both sides should be punished 10:36  |  Sam Marwan 27/10/09
      43.   War Crimes 10:36  |  Sonny 27/10/09
      44.   EU STUCK ON JEWS ONLY? 10:37  |  Petra 27/10/09
      45.   1.6 Billion 10:40  |  DJ 27/10/09
      46.   Instead of penning j`accuse-styled posts... 10:57  |  zmogus 27/10/09
      47.   Where were they? 10:58  |  GA 27/10/09
      48.   The only way to prevent this ... 11:04  |  Joseph 27/10/09
      49.   Can Israel not defend itself? 11:05  |  Bjorn 27/10/09
      50.   BODYSCOTT To get to the truth you have to show intent! 11:08  |  PETER SM 27/10/09
      51.   Reply to #7 and #14 Hamas List 11:08  |  Danny 27/10/09
      52.   Can we make this kind of list for Hamas please? 11:12  |  jofromparis 27/10/09
      53.   #35, PETER SM, says so, so it`s true 11:18  |  VIPER 27/10/09
      54.   David Nigel Braham 11:19  |  right on 27/10/09
      55.   EU obsessed with jews 11:23  |  How sad 27/10/09
      56.   EU Lawyers 11:44  |  alistair john 27/10/09
      57.   PSM----you seem pensive---almost under pressure 11:51  |  Labhras 27/10/09
      58.   Instead of penning j`accuse-styled posts... 11:53  |  zmogus 27/10/09
      59.   #16 Oren 11:54  |  Chris Linthwaite 27/10/09
      60.   Norway and warcriminals.. 11:58  |  Sheket 27/10/09
      61.   EU lawyers draw up list of IDF officers suspected of Gaza war cri 12:11  |  Ephi 27/10/09
      62.   Dostoyevsky "God and the Devil are fighting" 2nd try 12:12  |  Steve of Mevaserret 27/10/09
      63.   Did Makover colleague get any Hamas names when he was in Gaza 12:13  |  Alan SA 27/10/09
      64.   Ofcourse Israel is allowed to defend themself 12:21  |  Trond 27/10/09
      65.   Outrageous! then tit-for-tat it is! 12:28  |  nadav 27/10/09
      66.   to Dubliner! 12:30  |  NADAV 27/10/09
      67.   60 You a big fan of kidnapping Nadav? 12:38  |  Michael 27/10/09
      68.   Europeans as usual stink of hypocrisy 12:40  |  The Prophet 27/10/09
      69.   edward in new york 12:42  |  potobac 27/10/09
      70.   what zio`s dont get: the occupation is illegal 12:43  |  try to pay attention 27/10/09
      71.   The Zentai precedent 12:49  |  Malka L 27/10/09
      72.   baruch gold 18 12:50  |  potobac 27/10/09
      73.   Precision on my #53 "j`accuse-styled posts": for Cipora J. Kohn 12:51  |  zmogus 27/10/09
      74.   c j kohn 24 12:54  |  potobac 27/10/09
      75.   Forge a passport 12:56  |  Sarah 27/10/09
      76.   peter sm 36 12:58  |  potobac 27/10/09
      77.   # 24 CJK 13:15  |  Axel 27/10/09
      78.   war crimes 13:17  |  zeldis 27/10/09
      79.   Names needed for crimes 13:26  |  ky 27/10/09
      80.   #7 Vladimir makes a funny. 13:26  |  Johnboy 27/10/09
      81.   #27 Jo has no idea 13:30  |  Johnboy 27/10/09
      82.   for Richard Tel aviv 13:37  |  Tommy 27/10/09
      83.   I dare you to arrest them 13:44  |  British Zionist 27/10/09
      84.   Daniel Machover 13:45  |  Makevet 27/10/09
      85.   #70 zeldis 13:47  |  Chris Linthwaite 27/10/09
      86.   #4 BBS News 13:51  |  Der Zweifler 27/10/09
      87.   IDF Officer Lists 13:52  |  Elliot 27/10/09
      88.   #58, Steve of Mevaserret. What is "Moral nation"? 13:55  |  zmogus 27/10/09
      89.   The Knesset should pass the law stipulating that 14:14  |  17 27/10/09
      90.   The Eu is a sad joke! 14:18  |  DR 27/10/09
      91.   RE: Potobac 14:34  |  judith 27/10/09
      92.   The Knesset should pass the law stipulating that 14:44  |  17 27/10/09
      93.   # 75 judith 14:45  |  Axel 27/10/09
      94.   The usual stinking hypocrisy of Europeans 14:47  |  The Prophet 27/10/09
      95.   VIPERGoldstone:?If This Was a Court Of Law--nothing proven" 14:53  |  PETER SM 27/10/09
      96.   17 I don`t think they would be interested in entering Israel 14:53  |  Yaakov Sullivan 27/10/09
      97.   #74 Elliot 14:58  |  Chris Linthwaite 27/10/09
      98.   how do eu lawmakers know the names of the soldiers? 15:19  |  dave 27/10/09
      99.   # 77 zweifler 15:31  |  Axel 27/10/09
      100.   75 Are you volunteering, British Zionist? 15:49  |  Michael 27/10/09
      101.   # DR 15:52  |  yes 27/10/09
      102.   Notice the Objections From the Apologists 16:21  |  Yaakov Sullivan 27/10/09
      103.   #91 Axel 16:40  |  Der Zweifler 27/10/09
      104.   #93, yes...actually 16:59  |  DR 27/10/09
      105.   Not even worth paying attentio to! 17:01  |  Maurice 27/10/09
      106.   RE: Axel 17:27  |  judith 27/10/09
      107.   Protobac 17:40  |  Edward 27/10/09
      108.   Here`s where the hatred seeps in 17:55  |  Jacob Blues 27/10/09
      109.   #100 DR 18:16  |  Chris Linthwaite 27/10/09
      110.   If Only The EU Judicial System Were Fair 18:45  |  Michael 27/10/09
      111.   # 104 dr 19:02  |  Axel 27/10/09
      112.   #5 John Spear - almost but not quite not a good idea 19:03  |  Don Boston 27/10/09
      113.   BSNews proves there is such a thing as a dumb question 19:05  |  SDHD 27/10/09
      114.   #8, LA Good - hope you get them prosecuted 19:10  |  Don Boston 27/10/09
      115.   Petra, & CJ K 19:17  |  Stephen 27/10/09
      116.   #110 Michael 19:18  |  Chris Linthwaite 27/10/09
      117.   Judith - all countries subject to war crime trials 19:21  |  Don Boston 27/10/09
      118.   War Criminals must face Justice--says the World Law! 19:23  |  if found guilty... 27/10/09
      119.   #110 The american judicial system is the 19:41  |  Ardi 27/10/09
      120.   to RF #24 - 2nd try 19:46  |  zeev 27/10/09
      121.   #92 17; Can you really not understand? 19:46  |  Don Boston 27/10/09
      122.   in soros` own words 20:23  |  jon 27/10/09
      123.   Don Boston is the one who really doesn`t understand 20:26  |  SDHD 27/10/09
      124.   # 107 Edward to Protobac 20:49  |  Traude 27/10/09
      125.   Traude and "waiting" 21:00  |  SDHD 27/10/09
      126.   edward in new york 107 21:04  |  potobac 27/10/09
      127.   sdhd 123 21:09  |  potobac 27/10/09
      128.   Response to DR in Florida 21:13  |  Leeguy 27/10/09
      129.   #123, SDHD - anti-semitism greatly exaggerated 21:13  |  Don Boston 27/10/09
      130.   EU to list officers accused of war crimes in Iraq, afghanistan 21:27  |  Peter 27/10/09
      131.   Lawyers in EU draw up list of alleged IDF war criminals 21:38  |  R C 27/10/09
      132.   Extremist Muslim war criminals in Gaza. 21:49  |  Catarin 27/10/09
      133.   SDHD to Don Boston. 22:06  |  zmogus 27/10/09
      134.   question for 17 (#92) 22:11  |  fred shapiro 27/10/09
      135.   #83 - British Zionish. Bit late for that... 22:18  |  Adam 27/10/09
      136.   # 121 Don Boston 22:19  |  17 27/10/09
      137.   Question to all... 22:43  |  DR 27/10/09
      138.   Give me a break! 22:57  |  sAlty 27/10/09
      139.   Yaacov Sullivan again tries to smear Israel with his own anger 23:00  |  Jacob Blues 27/10/09
      140.   Winning the media war in Turkey and antisemitism 23:48  |  Anonymous 27/10/09
      141.   Terrorists using the media - 2 23:53  |  Anonymous 27/10/09
      142.   Ardi 00:08  |  Philippe 28/10/09
      143.   # 118 00:11  |  Philippe 28/10/09
      144.   pandora box 00:29  |  Yaron 28/10/09
      145.   Ardi - The Color of Justice 01:16  |  Mark Lincoln 28/10/09
      146.   EU 01:21  |  yerushalmi 28/10/09
      147.   Let us be a bit more realistic 01:21  |  Mark Lincoln 28/10/09
      148.   "If this was a court of law,there would have been nothing proven" 01:23  |  Meo 28/10/09
      149.   #10 Edward 01:50  |  BDS 28/10/09
      150.   Human rights ? They love every Arab 01:54  |  TOMY 28/10/09
      151.   P U 01:55  |  sfg 28/10/09
      152.   The most moral army in the world must have lost its moral compass 01:56  |  ANY 28/10/09
      153.   "Human Righs" lawyers 02:28  |  Chayim 28/10/09
      154.   #7 well get with it joseph; dan`s already got a list of 20,000 03:22  |  eric 28/10/09
      155.   #114, Don Boston 03:27  |  Bruce 28/10/09
      156.   #117, Don Boston 03:35  |  Bruce 28/10/09
      157.   RE: Don Boston 04:22  |  judith 28/10/09
      158.   Congrats Cipora # 27 on your WONDERFUL POST. 04:25  |  Fortuna Benmayor 28/10/09
      159.   these lawyers are not impartial but part of the anti Israel 05:25  |  ks 28/10/09
      160.   Interesting.... and the list of war crimes committed.... 06:36  |  Michael Sperber 28/10/09
      161.   TO Judith #11 07:39  |  Steve Beikirch 28/10/09
      162.   #103 Interesting arguments, zweifler 08:09  |  Johnboy 28/10/09
      163.   #128, 17, Thanks for clarification 14:47  |  Don Boston 28/10/09
      164.   #130, DR - one answer to question to all 15:03  |  Don Boston 28/10/09
      165.   Fortuna Benmayor`s laurels to Cipora J.Kohn`s laurels to Herzl 15:07  |  zmogus 28/10/09
      166.   #147, Bruce - collateral damage not magic term 15:20  |  Don Boston 28/10/09
      167.   #151 Judith; sadly, bigotry alive & well in many forms 15:31  |  Don Boston 28/10/09
      168.   Johnboy 15:51  |  Der Zweifler 28/10/09
      169.   Fortuna Benmayor`s laurels to Cipora J.Kohn`s laurels to Herzl 16:00  |  zmogus 28/10/09
      170.   SDHD to Don Boston. 16:01  |  zmogus 28/10/09
      171.   EU Lawyers 17:41  |  Paul 28/10/09
      172.   Der Zweifler. On the disclaimer of R. Kemp: AFAIK 17:57  |  zmogus 28/10/09
      173.   #172 zmogus Second Attempt 21:47  |  Der Zweifler 28/10/09
      174.   alleged 22:26  |  mark aleshnick 28/10/09
      175.   Der Zweifler 1. 16:20  |  zmogus 29/10/09
      176.   Der Zweifler 2. 16:44  |  zmogus 29/10/09
      177.   Der Zweifler 3. 17:20  |  zmogus 29/10/09
      178.   #175, #176 zmogus 17:31  |  Der Zweifler 29/10/09
      179.   Der Zweifler 4. 17:38  |  zmogus 29/10/09
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