French Court Summons Two French-Israelis Over Gaza Aid Blockade 'Genocide Complicity'
A French investigating magistrate has reportedly issued summonses to two French-Israeli nationals, Nili Kupfer-Naouri and Rachel Touitou, in relation to allegations of "complicity in genocide" for their alleged roles in blocking humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza. This development marks a significant legal precedent, as it is believed to be the first time a country has considered the obstruction of aid as potentially constituting complicity in genocide.
Details of the Summonses and Allegations
The summonses were issued in July, according to reports from Le Monde and Agence France-Presse. They require Touitou, associated with the group Tsav 9, and Kupfer-Naouri, of Israel is Forever, to appear before a magistrate. Notably, these summonses do not mandate arrest, but they compel the individuals to attend for questioning. Tsav 9 has been described by the Biden administration in 2024 as a "violent, extremist" group, with sanctions imposed for "blocking, harassing and damaging" humanitarian convoys, though these were later lifted by the Trump administration.
During the war, Israel restricted aid shipments into Gaza, leading to widespread hunger and contributing to a human-made famine in parts of the territory last summer. Tsav 9 opposed even the limited aid that managed to enter, with allegations that their actions involved obstructing and attacking aid convoys.
Responses from the Accused
In an interview with the pro-Israel news site the News on 16 January, Kupfer-Naouri confirmed she had been summonsed, labelling the French investigation as "antisemitic madness" and stating she would "no longer be able to set foot in France." She expressed pride in fighting on what she called a front of "truth and justice," vowing that no one would silence her.
Touitou defended her actions, claiming the charges were political persecution. She argued that Tsav 9 demonstrations were a non-violent response to unsubstantiated allegations that Hamas organised mass diversions of humanitarian aid during the conflict. She affirmed her commitment to defending her people and country, though these claims lack evidence.
Legal Context and Broader Investigations
Summonses in such cases do not automatically lead to arrest, though detention is possible after interview. They can be issued by investigating magistrates without approval from anti-terrorist prosecutors, who typically handle genocide cases. Sources close to the investigation indicated that pro-Israeli French activists are also being probed for "public incitement to genocide," with potential summonses for up to 10 other individuals.
The initial complaint was filed last year by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights and the rights groups Al-Haq and Al Mezan. Clémence Bectarte, a lawyer for these groups, highlighted that this investigation is unprecedented, noting that other legal complaints in France have addressed war crimes, such as the deaths of Franco-Palestinian children in Gaza and actions against Franco-Israeli soldiers.
Significance and Reactions
Bectarte emphasised that these warrants represent the first judicial recognition that deliberately depriving Palestinians in Gaza of humanitarian aid can be considered complicity in genocide. The French-Palestinian collective Nidal welcomed the summonses, viewing them as a testament to the strength of the Franco-Palestinian diaspora in pursuing justice through legal means.
Lawyers Marion Lafouge and Damia Taharraoui, representing the French Jewish Union for Peace, told Le Monde that the summonses reflect the serious nature of the alleged acts, underscoring that complicity in genocide involves concrete actions under investigation by France's central office for combating crimes against humanity and hate crimes.
