‘Not Comedy’ – Ex-Israeli Soldier Detained Briefly in Canada over Gaza Genocide Complaint

January 23, 2026 News
The Hind Rajab Foundation is dedicated to holding Israeli war criminals accountable wherever they are. (Photo: QNN. Design: Palestine Chronicle)

By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

“What we are dealing with here is not comedy. It is genocidal propaganda and incitement to violence,” the HRF says.

An Israeli comedian and former combat soldier was detained and interrogated for six hours upon arrival in Canada on Monday after the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) filed a legal complaint accusing him of war crimes and incitement related to the genocidal assault on Gaza.

The criminal case filed against Guy Hochman was based on his “activities, public statements, and documented association with military propaganda and incitement linked to Israel’s war on Gaza,” the HRF said about its action, supported by Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights (CLAIHR).

Citing Israeli media, the HRF said Hochman was released “only after diplomatic intervention” by the Israeli embassy.

“This was a significant development and showed that incitement to genocide and war propaganda are taken seriously when evidence is presented,” the organization stressed.

Hochman gained prominence during Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza through his close alignment with the Israeli military, according to the Belgium-based non-profit organization.

‘Glorified Destruction of Gaza’

A former combat soldier, Hochman “publicly stated” that after the Palestinian Resistance operation of October 7, 2023, he sought to rejoin his battalion as a reservist but was rejected, the HRF said.

Following this, the organization pointed out, Hochman began producing and circulating videos featuring Israeli soldiers, many recorded in military settings and disseminated online.

“These activities led to his recruitment into a role linked to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, an unusual position for a civilian entertainer. In this role, Hochman appeared in military uniform and disseminated messaging that glorified destruction in Gaza, promoted revenge narratives, and contributed to the normalization of war crimes,” the HRF stated.

‘Beyond Satire’

Beyond these media activities, the organization pointed out, Hochman has engaged in overt political advocacy, “including publicly promoting and participating in actions blocking humanitarian aid trucks destined for Gaza.”

He described such aid as “weapons for our enemies” and encouraged others to take part, the HRF said.

Hochman also “produced content for political advocacy initiatives known for advancing aggressive policies toward Palestinians and for promoting retaliatory narratives,” it noted.

“While presenting himself internationally as a comedian, much of his recent content has moved beyond satire, using humour to dehumanize Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, and pro-Palestinian demonstrators, and to normalize collective punishment,” the organization stressed.

Following Hochman’s release on Monday, his performance continued as scheduled.

US Show Canceled

On Tuesday, the HRF escalated legal action against him, filing an urgent request for prosecution in the United States, ahead of a scheduled performance in New York City on Wednesday night. According to reports, the show was canceled due to protest action.

The US filing was accompanied by HRF’s comprehensive dossier, “detailing conduct that may constitute violations of international humanitarian law and U.S. federal criminal statutes, including the War Crimes Act (18 U.S.C. §2441) and the Genocide Statute (18 U.S.C. §1091).”

The dossier, the HRF said, also documents Hochman’s “public support for acts of sexual violence and torture committed against Palestinian detainees, conduct that constitutes a grave breach of international law.”

Sde Teiman Soldiers Glorified

In particular, it noted, Hochman publicly defended and glorified members of Force 100, an Israeli military unit whose soldiers raped a Palestinian prisoner on camera at the Sde Teiman detention facility.

“Rather than condemning the crime, Hochman framed the perpetrators as heroes, contributing to the normalisation and legitimisation of sexual violence, torture, and abuse of prisoners,” the organization stated.

“The Hind Rajab Foundation does not chase comedians, and we do not oppose freedom of expression—even the absolute freedom to hold and express opinions we profoundly disagree with,” Dyab Abou Jahjah, General Director of HRF, said. “What we are dealing with here is not comedy. It is genocidal propaganda and incitement to violence. ”

The organization pledged to continue to pursue “all available legal avenues to ensure that inciters and perpetrators of atrocity are confronted with justice—wherever they appear.”

The organization has already filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in October against 1,000 Israeli soldiers for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Gaza.

The foundation is named after the six-year-old Hind Rajab, who was killed, along with six of her family members and two paramedics, by Israeli occupation forces in Gaza two years ago.

Over 71,500 Killed

Starting on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military, with American support, launched a genocidal war against the people of Gaza. This campaign has so far resulted in the deaths of over 71,500 Palestinians, with more than 171,000 wounded. The vast majority of the population has been displaced, and the destruction of infrastructure is unprecedented since World War II. Thousands of people are still missing.

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In addition to the military assault, the Israeli blockade has caused a man-made famine, leading to the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians—mostly children—with hundreds of thousands more at risk.

Despite widespread international condemnation, little has been done to hold Israel accountable. The nation is currently under investigation for genocide by the International Court of Justice, while accused war criminals, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are officially wanted by the International Criminal Court.

(The Palestine Chronicle)

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