France: French-Israelis investigated for obstructing Gaza aid

France has opened two investigations into alleged complicity and incitement of genocide after French-Israelis were accused of obstructing humanitarian aid for Gaza, Al-Monitor via AFP reported on June 6th.

The anti-terror prosecutor’s office (PNAT) confirmed that the probes will also examine potential complicity in crimes against humanity between January and May last year. It marks the first time French authorities have launched legal investigations related to the war in Gaza, in the context of international law, sources have said.

The investigations follow two separate legal complaints. The first was filed in November by the Jewish French Union for Peace (UFJP) and a French-Palestinian individual. The complaint was aimed at purported French members of staunch pro-Israel groups “Israel is Forever” and “Tzav-9,” alleging they physically obstructed aid trucks at Israeli-controlled border crossings.

The second complaint, submitted by the advocacy group Lawyers for Justice in the Middle East (CAPJO), claimed “Israel is Forever” members have blocked aid convoys. CAPJO cited photos, videos, and public statements as evidence.

At the time of the alleged blockades, staunch Israeli activists, such as friends and family members Gaza detainees made lorries carrying food and supplies into Gaza to turn back.

Lawyers representing the plaintiffs in the first case, Damia Taharraoui and Marion Lafouge, said they were pleased that incidents in January last year – “a time when no-one wanted to hear anything about genocide” – is now being investigated.

In a different but related case, a grandmother has filed a complaint in Paris alleging that Israel has carried out “genocide” and “murder” following the killing of her two grandchildren in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza.

The children, six-year-old Janna and nine-year-old Abderrahim Abudaher, hold French nationalities and were killed in north Gaza on October 24, 2023. Their five-year-old brother survived but was severely wounded, according to the complaint.

Filed by lawyer Arie Alimi, the case targets the Israeli government, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Israeli military, although it is officially aimed at unnamed parties. Alimi said: “We believe these children are dead as part of a deliberate, organized policy targeting Gaza’s population with possible genocidal intent.”

Their mother, identified as Yasmine Z., remains in Gaza. She was convicted in absentia by a French court in 2019 for financially supporting a “terrorist” group, over funds allegedly sent to members of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.

No court has formally ruled the ongoing war to be a genocide. However, the International Court of Justice has issued three orders this year calling on Israel to take all necessary steps to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza, including ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Al-Minotor via AFP