The controversy over the attempted arrest of an IDF soldier in Brazil that made headlines this morning (Sunday) is a rude awakening of necessary precautions needed before visits abroad- especially for an Israeli who has served in the IDF. Many soldiers currently serving in active duty and reserves are hesitant to travel abroad due to concerns that pro-Palestinian organizations may try to issue arrest warrants against them. Here are four countries where there is no concern for an Israeli citizen to be arrested due to their military service.
The United States
To begin with, the U.S. is not a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and does not recognize its authority at all. Therefore, they find no validity to the court’s claim that any Israeli is defined as a ‘war criminal’. In addition, there are the deep historic and economic ties between us and our ally in the West, and a powerful primary focus on security cooperation. With Trump’s upcoming entry into the White House, the U.S. is a highly attractive and legally safe destination for Israeli tourists.
India
Like the U.S., India is also not a member of the ICC and maintains legal independence on these matters. Furthermore, relations between India and Israel are excellent, with fruitful cooperation between the two countries on various issues, including Israel supplying security systems to India. This popular destination for released soldiers and Israeli citizens alike remains free from legal issues.
Argentina
In contrast to the U.S. and India, Argentina is a member of the ICC, but this membership does not seem relevant in this case. Argentina, especially under current President Javier Milei, holds a strong pro-Israel stance. Milei, who visited Israel last February, has declared multiple times that he is a staunch supporter of Israel and has deep ties with the local Jewish community. Additionally, the President of Argentina announced that he intends to declare Hamas a terrorist organization.
Guatemala
At the beginning of the war, the Foreign Minister of this Central American country stated in his speech at the UN General Assembly: “If the organizations in favor of Palestine lay down their weapons, there will be no violence. If Israel lays down its weapons, there will no longer be Israel.” This speech was then described by the Israeli Foreign Ministry as the most pro-Israel statement made by a Foreign Minister since the beginning of the war, representing a consistent pro-Israel policy from the Guatemalans, including moving their embassy to Jerusalem in 2018.
In general, it’s recommended to contact the Foreign Ministry and specifically check the level of risk in each country. The possibility of a threat to Israeli citizens is not only legal, but also dependent upon levels of anti-Semitism, Muslim communities, and more.
