Pro-Palestinian Group Files Complaint in Slovenia Against Israeli Foreign Minister
The pro-Palestinian Hind Rajab Foundation has filed a criminal complaint in Slovenia against Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar ahead of his diplomatic visit to Ljubljana to open a new embassy. Sitting foreign ministers hold broad immunity.
The pro-Palestinian organization Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), based in Belgium, announced on Monday that it has filed a criminal complaint in Slovenia against Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar. According to the organization, the complaint was submitted to the district prosecutor's office and the Slovenian police ahead of Sa'ar's scheduled visit to Ljubljana, where he is expected to attend the official opening of the new Israeli embassy.
Slovenian newspaper Dnevnik reported that the diplomatic visit and embassy opening are scheduled to take place this week. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar previously announced the initiative to open Israel's first resident embassy in Ljubljana, following which diplomat Irit Konen-Dar was appointed as Israel's first resident ambassador to Slovenia.
Allegations and Legal Context
The HRF complaint accuses the Israeli Foreign Minister of responsibility for alleged war crimes and torture during the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. The organization claims that Sa'ar, as a member of the political-security cabinet, was involved in formulating and publicly defending Israeli military policies.
There is currently no indication that Slovenian authorities are taking action on the complaint. Under international law, sitting foreign ministers generally enjoy broad personal immunity from prosecution in foreign jurisdictions during their term of office.
Repeated Legal Actions
This is the third time the Hind Rajab Foundation has targeted Sa'ar. The group previously filed similar complaints with local authorities ahead of his scheduled visits to Brussels in February 2025 and London in April 2025. The organization has filed dozens of complaints against IDF soldiers, officers, and senior Israeli officials in various countries.
HRF CEO Dyab Abou Jahjah, a 55-year-old Belgian-Lebanese activist, stated:
"No official, no matter how senior, is above the law. The opening of an embassy should not become a ceremony of impunity."
Natacha Bracq, head of litigation at the organization, added that the principle of universal jurisdiction is intended to prevent those accused of international crimes from hiding behind diplomatic visits.
