PROJECTS
We empower survivors.
Survivors bring their voices. We bring the expertise.
Our legal action allows us to establish a judicial and indisputable truth. We work in a professional, independent, non-partisan, and non-political manner that meets the highest standards of fair trial, due process, and rule of law.
The International Criminal Court (ICC)
Attorney Yael Vias Gvirsman is at the forefront of these proceedings, personally leading the most advanced case currently before the International Criminal Court (ICC). Beginning on 15 October, Attorney Vias Gvirsman represented eight families of hostages, missing persons, and those murdered in the October 7 attacks. On 31 October, she filed the first submission to the ICC on behalf of victims of October 7. The second stage involves direct and active participation in the investigation itself. Since mid-November, we have maintained direct contact with ICC investigators, providing evidence, expert opinions, and first-hand testimony from survivors and victims, who also give voice to those who were murdered. In early February, Attorney Vias Gvirsman led the first delegation of victims to travel to The Hague to give testimony to ICC investigators. The third and final stage is direct representation in proceedings before the Court in The Hague. This stage is expected to take place following the arrest and transfer of suspects to the Court, pursuant to international arrest warrants anticipated in the near future. Today, more than 250 victims have chosen to be represented by Attorney Yael Vias Gvirsman. She is currently the only attorney combining an active, direct presence on the ground with first-hand experience in litigation before the ICC, alongside experience before a total of four international criminal tribunals. Attorney Vias Gvirsman was the first woman member of the Israel Bar Association to work directly on litigation in The Hague. She did so with notable success, establishing precedents that continue to inform proceedings before the Court today.
Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions
In addition to the proceedings before the ICC, we pursue criminal proceedings through two further avenues, depending on the citizenship of the victims. Victims holding only Israeli citizenship In addition to proceedings before the ICC, victims who hold only Israeli citizenship may also pursue criminal complaints or proceedings in Germany under the principle of universal jurisdiction. Under this principle, national courts may have jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute international crimes regardless of where the crimes were committed, the nationality of the victims, or the identity or nationality of the perpetrators. This initiative draws on the legacy of the Nuremberg trials and the principle of “Never Again.” The work is conducted in close cooperation with a German attorney who specialises in German law and the representation of victims of international crimes. Victims holding additional citizenship alongside Israeli citizenship In addition to proceedings before the ICC, victims who hold citizenship in another country may also be able to pursue legal action in that jurisdiction, subject to the applicable legal framework. We currently represent victims holding citizenship in 20 different countries, including Israel, Italy, Argentina, Bulgaria, Estonia, Portugal, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Philippines, among others. The potential reach of this initiative extends to more than 40 countries of citizenship, encompassing thousands of individuals affected by the October 7 attacks. In each case, we assess the legal and practical viability of proceedings in the relevant jurisdiction, drawing on our knowledge of the applicable legal system. The organisation has already identified law firms in several key jurisdictions with the relevant professional expertise and a strong personal commitment to this mission. We intend to commence coordinated legal action in these jurisdictions once sufficient funding has been secured to ensure the sustainability of the proceedings.
Civil Lawsuits against Terrorism Infrastructure
In civil litigation, each claimant must generally select one forum for claims against each defendant. Victims may bring claims against relevant entities—including individuals, organisations, or states—to seek compensation for the harm they have suffered, as well as punitive damages where available under the applicable law. Our work in these proceedings includes: Developing legal strategy: Working with partner law firms and subject-matter experts to formulate the legal strategy for each claim. Preparing claimant-specific pleadings: Drafting the sections of each claim relating to our clients and presenting their individual experiences and personal stories. Building the evidentiary and legal foundation: Establishing a sufficient evidentiary basis and developing the legal arguments underpinning each claim. Our office specialises in international crimes and complex issues of international law, including questions of immunity and related matters. Our partner firms bring extensive expertise in Israeli and US law, as well as in the recognition and enforcement of judgments across jurisdictions. Supporting the proceedings through to completion: Providing ongoing support to clients throughout the litigation process and assisting our partners in advancing the claims towards a successful outcome. At present, the organisation is working to initiate and bring claims on behalf of its clients in Israel and the United States. A. Israel — Claims against AP and Reuters A targeted legal action concerning individuals who accompanied the attackers under the guise of journalists and photographers, and who are alleged to have been affiliated with Hamas and to have participated in the atrocities. B. United States — Confidential proceedings Proceedings in the United States remain confidential at this stage in order to protect our clients and preserve the integrity of the legal process. We will provide updates when circumstances permit.
Building the Evidenciary Basis
One of our central objectives is to prevent the loss of evidence and safeguard its integrity and reliability. To this end, we have established—and continue to develop—partnerships with experts in the field, victims and survivors, civil society, and non-governmental organisations with relevant evidence-preservation and investigative capabilities. These partnerships enable us to expand and strengthen our legal and evidentiary network. We do not accept funding from government entities. Instead, we raise funds from civil society and philanthropic organisations that share the universal values underpinning the October 7 Justice Without Borders initiative. Photographer Ben Cohen is accompanying our initiative through his pioneering project, First Testimony, which collects testimonies and documents evidence from survivors. To date, the project has documented more than 60 testimonies. We intend to establish full cooperation with Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) organisations and specialists in Sexual and Gender-Based Crimes (SGBC), strengthening our evidence-collection and preservation efforts, which remain a cornerstone of our work.
Sexual Violence Oct 7
Our office specialises in international crimes, including sexual and gender-based crimes and conflict-related sexual violence. A chapter authored by Attorney Vias Gvirsman for legal practitioners is scheduled to be published shortly by NATO's publishing programme. We bring our expertise from other conflict settings to support victims and survivors of the October 7 attacks. Gender-based crimes, including sexual violence committed during armed conflict, are well-documented phenomena and may constitute crimes against humanity and other international crimes, depending on the circumstances and the applicable legal framework. Despite this, such crimes are often relegated to the bottom of the priority list and subjected to heightened scepticism and hesitation in their investigation and treatment. We seek to change this practice and work in close cooperation with leading international experts in the field. Together with leading specialists, our office takes an analytical and methodical approach, grounded in rigorous scrutiny, professional standards, and the sensitivity required when supporting survivors. We work with qualified professionals to ensure that our efforts contribute to establishing the truth while respecting the needs and dignity of those affected. We collaborate with expert partners in Israel and, particularly, abroad, drawing on experience gained in conflict settings including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Ukraine, and other regions.
