In a significant legal maneuver at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Palestinian legal advocacy organization Al-Haq has initiated criminal proceedings against Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat. The complaint, formally submitted to Swiss authorities on Thursday, demands an investigation into Barkat’s alleged involvement in international crimes related to Israeli settlement activities and actions in Gaza.
Al-Haq’s allegations assert that Minister Barkat bears individual responsibility for unlawful colonization of Occupied Palestinian Territory, citing his tenure as Jerusalem mayor where he allegedly oversaw illegal settlement expansion, permit enforcement, and demolitions constituting apartheid practices. The organization contends these actions represent systematic international crimes requiring judicial scrutiny.
Switzerland’s legal framework enables prosecution of international crimes when alleged perpetrators are physically present within its jurisdiction, prompting Al-Haq to declare that “Davos cannot be a safe haven for war criminals.” The complaint emerges amid heightened tensions following Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in substantial Palestinian casualties according to health authorities.
Minister Barkat responded defiantly on social media platform X, stating: “No terrorist organization will deter me. I will continue to develop the Israeli economy and represent the country without fear anywhere in the world.” His remarks came alongside controversial statements in Foreign Policy Magazine where he justified Gaza’s extensive demolition as necessary to eliminate tunnel networks allegedly designed to attack Israel.
The legal action occurs within a broader context of Israel’s longstanding campaign against Al-Haq, which was designated a terrorist organization by Israel in 2021 and subsequently sanctioned by the Trump administration alongside other Palestinian rights groups. These sanctions froze US assets and prohibited dollar transactions, measures condemned by the organizations as attempts to suppress documentation of alleged Israeli human rights violations.
Al-Haq, established in 1979 as one of Palestine’s oldest human rights monitors, has consistently faced Israeli opposition including office raids and intelligence campaigns alleging ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine—claims for which Israel has never publicly produced evidence according to the organization.