Ali Cherri, a Lebanese filmmaker and artist residing in Paris, has officially charged the Israeli military with committing a war crime after a bombing in 2024 killed his parents in their Beirut home. The incident occurred shortly before a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel was due on November 26, 2024. Cherri’s parents, Mahmoud Naim Cherri and Nadira Hayek, perished when an Israeli bomb hit their 12-story apartment building, also resulting in the deaths of their employee Birki Negesa and at least four others.
Yesterday, April 2, Cherri, supported by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), filed a war crimes complaint with France’s War Crimes Unit. The complaint, kept confidential by FIDH, accuses unknown parties of the “war crime of intentionally directing an attack against a civilian object,” which, under French law, could lead to a 15-year prison sentence.
France is able to investigate the bombing because of Cherri’s dual citizenship in France and Lebanon and his ownership of the building, though the court cannot directly prosecute his parents’ deaths. Cherri expressed his hope that the process would uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable, aiming to end a cycle of impunity.
The London-based Forensic Architecture contributed an analysis to the complaint, revealing that two GBU-39 munitions, noted for their precision, were used in the attack. Amnesty International’s February investigation found no legitimate military target nearby and no evacuation warnings issued. Although Cherri’s uncle, who was connected to Hezbollah, did not reside in the building, Cherri and his brother Emad, injured in the attack, had no known links to the group.
Cherri indicated that filing a complaint in France was the most sensible legal avenue due to Lebanon’s non-affiliation with the International Criminal Court. Maxime Illuzzi Duriez of FIDH stated that they hope the complaint will instigate a judicial investigation to identify those responsible, potentially leading to arrest warrants. This lengthy and complex process could take years, during which FIDH will support Cherri.
Cherri’s artistic work, including films, sculptures, and two-dimensional pieces, often explores the impact of political violence on the human body. His creations are featured in major institutions such as the Guggenheim Museum and the Museum of Modern Art. Cherri is calling for an investigation to uncover the facts for all victims, hoping it will prevent future tragedies.
