Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., October 28, 2009 Cheshvan 10, 5770 | | Israel Time: 15:37 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Jewish World Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Focus U.S.A. Strenger than Fiction Business Travel Magazine Week's End Anglo File Books
Share |
Last update - 22:13 27/10/2009
Deputy FM Ayalon won't cut U.K. trip short, despite arrest threat
By Haaretz Service
Tags: Israel News 

Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon will not shorten his visit to Britain despite efforts by pro-Palestinian organizations to petition for his arrest there, Army Radio reported on Tuesday.

The Israeli embassy in London plans on beefing up Ayalon's security detail, according to Army Radio. This is the first time pro-Palestinian groups have sought to take legal steps against non-military Israeli officials, Army Radio reported.

Last month, British authorities rejected a petition to arrest Defense Minister Ehud Barak on suspicion of war crimes.
Advertisement
Human rights lawyers and pro-Palestinian activists in a number of European countries hold lists with names of Israel Defense Forces soldiers allegedly linked to war crimes committed during Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip. Existing legislation enables arrest warrants to be issued against these officers if they enter those countries.

Lawyers in Britain and other European countries have been collecting testimonies of Palestinians and other data from Gaza since January, which they maintain proves that war crimes were committed by the IDF during the offensive. The evidence is linked to IDF officers holding ranks of battalion commander and higher, who were in command during various stages of Cast Lead.

The other nations who have lawyers collecting information on the matter include the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and Norway, whose laws, as well as Britain's, allow the issuance of arrest warrants against foreign citizens suspected of war crimes.

Attorney Daniel Makover from London is coordinating the efforts in Britain. One of his colleagues visited the Gaza Strip several weeks after the fighting in order to collect testimonies. Palestinians civilians also gave the legal assistant their approval, and asked that he file the suits in their name, in line with British law.

Speaking to Haaretz, Makover refused to offer details on the identity of the IDF officers or how many were listed, but said that much depends on the specific details of each case. Makover said that anyone who was involved in an incident may face criminal charges. The attorney added that there are officers who are obviously candidates for charges, and others who are less obvious, but emphasized that it depends on the facts collected on the ground.

Related articles:
  • Report: IDF general dodged U.K. arrest as police feared shootout
  • Lawyers in EU draw up list of alleged IDF war criminals
  • Israel demands PA drop war crimes suit at The Hague
    • PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
    Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Jones hits J Street
    Obama's national security adviser: 'U.S. commitment to Israel not just a slogan.'
    Palestinian olive threat
    Settlers march in north West Bank to protest 'security threat' posed by harvest.
      1.   Iøll help Makover ,arrest the RN Captain who commanded the a-sub 22:10  |  Absolute Sweden 27/10/09
      2.   Livni, the most incompetent FM since Levi 22:27  |  Mark C 27/10/09
      3.   Its as credible as Mafia familiy testifying against police 23:44  |  Hahahahahamas 27/10/09
      4.   Don`t arrest him, just put scotch-tape over his big mouth. 01:20  |  Fortuna Benmayor 28/10/09
      5.   Ayalon`s Speech 01:27  |  Matt 28/10/09
      6.   He has nothing to fear 05:37  |  Mark Lincoln 28/10/09
      7.   This nonsense has got to stop 11:10  |  British Zionist 28/10/09
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Date Local Jewish Singles
    Ready to meet your match? Join Jdate today!
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    More Headlines
    10:28 Lebanon army dismantles 4 rockets aimed at Israel
    14:48 Ya'alon: I'll forgo Europe trips to allow IDF freedom
    08:22 Aluf Benn / Who decided to go to war in Gaza and why?
    14:52 Child abuse suspect Elior Chen arrives in Israel
    14:22 Iran TV: Tehran to respond to nuclear draft deal on Thursday
    15:36 Hamas: Israel stalling Shalit deal over 125 prisoners
    12:27 Palestinians in Ma'aleh Adumim employed by Israel but on Jordanian terms
    09:50 France fines comedian 10,000 euros over anti-Semitic stunt
    22:20 TV ROUND-UP: Katyusha strikes north; Gaydamak convicted of gun-running
    13:39 Trial of suspected Hezbollah cell resumes in Egypt
    10:58 Report: Iraq seeking green light to rebuild nuclear facilities
    14:42 Hamas vows to prevent Palestinian elections in Gaza
    12:31 Publisher boycotts Steimatzky book chain amid feud
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
    | Advert: Recommended Restaurants | Makom: Engaging on Israel
    | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved