No one could have predicted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would catch the tiger by its tail in Gaza. Every political analyst said that Israeli soldiers would go home after limited incursions to “mow the lawn” in the enclave. We were told to learn from Israel’s “short and sweet” wars. However, Israel’s latest not so short and not so sweet genocide in Gaza is now in its 15th month. Apart from in the ruling circles and among contracted supporters, particularly following the International Criminal Court’s (ICC’s) issuance of warrants for the arrest of Netanyahu and his former defence minister, Israeli war criminals are losing access to public spaces in many parts of the world. Sri Lanka is one such place where war criminals are being chased.

The Brussels-based Hind Rajab Foundation alerted the Sri Lankan authorities on 17 December about the presence in the country of an Israeli soldier who was, it said, in Colombo to relieve the stress built up in Gaza. “Gal Ferenbook,” said the foundation, “is an Israeli soldier responsible for the death of a Palestinian civilian and the degrading treatment of their body.” The Foundation added that it has formally demanded that the Sri Lankan authorities arrest him and cooperate with the ICC.

Although this soldier was pressured to leave Sri Lanka, it was not the only case of this nature. During the past several months, concern has been voiced in areas where water sports tourism is popular about the arrogant behaviour of Israeli tourists, often related to running unlicensed businesses, threatening the locals and overstaying their visas.

Their law-unto-themselves behaviour with strict exclusivity in their businesses and parties has irked the locals.

October saw a forceful social media campaign and protests in those areas against bringing Israel’s troubles to Sri Lanka. Activists shared images of Israeli soldiers who have........

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