This really shows the importance of upping the ante in the international protest movement against the Israeli occupation.
Bryan Atinsky
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IDF brass seek advice on trips abroad, fear war crimes charges
By Amos Harel, Ha'aretz Correspondent
Several Israel Defense Forces officers who are serving in the territories have, in recent months, consulted with the army's advocate general with regard to trips overseas. The officers are concerned that host countries might initiate legal procedures against them, stemming from their service in the territories.
The advice-seekers include high-ranking IDF men, along with lower-level officers who are not on active duty in the territories, yet whose assignments are connected to the stand-off with the Palestinians, army sources told Ha'aretz.
The majority of the requests for advice have involved scheduled trips to West European countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands. The sources believe that the officers are not being warned by the IDF's legal officials against trips to such countries. The IDF Spokesman affirms that the advocate general has not asked any officer to refrain from visits to Holland or Belgium.
Measures adopted by the IDF during the months of intifada violence, particularly assassinations of terror suspects and closures imposed on Palestinian communities, have been harshly criticized in Europe. Litigation in Belgium against various figures (including Prime Minister Ariel Sharon) for alleged human rights violations or war crimes has aroused concern among Israeli security officials. They fear that IDF officers who serve in the territories might become targets in such legal proceedings abroad.
Spurring these concerns, family relations of six Palestinian children killed in the intifada filed a "genocide" complaint in Belgium last November against twelve Israelis, including the prime minister, the defense minister, and IDF reserve officers.
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