Israel confirms U.K. arrest warrant against Livni

After the excessen in Gaza, the world can no longer look away. And no longer accept the brutal acts, using terrorism as a threat. Israel must come to terms with its Palestinian citizens, and learn to treat these people with respect. Only in peace lies real security.

Read what benevolent, godly people the Israelis are: "The Jewish people as a whole will be its own Messiah. It will attain world domination by the dissolution of other races...and by the establishment of a world republic in which everywhere the Jews will exercise the privilege of citizenship. In this New World Order the Children of Israel...will furnish all the leaders without encountering opposition..." --Karl Marx in a letter to Baruch Levy, quoted in Review de Paris, June 1, 1928, p. 574

Well now Mark, Hamas DID have plans for a secret manufacturing and test area for their rockets and IED's, much like Area-51 in the United States, but had to scrap the idea because the population density in the Gaza Strip is about 3100 people per sq. kilometre. Give them time though; there's talk that the plan might still be implemented after Israel levels a few more neighborhoods to give them more area.

First they are not defending their cities!! They are using Human Shields, period. Hamas has been caught storing weapons in Mosques and and schools,"warehouses"?? There is an abundance of films taken by drones clearly showing rocket crews setting their rocket launchers in residential neighborhoods. At first the IDF would hit rocket before it was launched killing the rocket crew. So what was the response by Hamas?? They put timers on the rockets so the rocket crew couls escape, only leaving the civilians in danger, Great guys!! Second, even the rocket and bomb making factories are located in apartments and residential housing. When they blow up by mistake (killing women and children) they try to falsely blame the IDF, then get busted in their lies. Defending their cities??? What laughable nonsense.

"The use of white phosphorus is not prohibited by any international conventions, so far as I know." It is regarded as a "chemical weapon" when it is fired into built up civilian areas, and its use as such would certainly amount to a grave violation under Art 146 of GCIV. MV: "Have you ever given thought as to Hamas` motives for co-siting itself with Gaza`s civilian populations?" Huh? Armies aren't allowed to defend their own cities? Since when, Morris? Oh, I see, under Israeli-rules an army is only allowed to defend a city by marching out into an open paddock and waving Big Red Flags at all the friendly planes..... What would the IDF do if a hostile army launched an assault on Tel Aviv, Morris? Go on holidays, or attempt to defend the city?

i know hamas is listed is a terror org, and for good reason... and i know about the british law that allows these charges to be filed. but meanwhile, the solution isn't to dodge them, and trying to get them changed may or may not get results. better to call the bluff. how far do you really think it would go?

CJK: "acts or laws of universal jurisdiction empower a few private individuals to bring criminal suits on the basis of political motivations outside the interests of the state." outside. the. interests. of. that. state. You are claiming that justice should - must! - be deferred because it is inconvenient for Brown to see justice being served on his watch. On that basis the Israelis should have released Adolf Eichmann the moment the Argentinians started complaining about his abduction. Look, Cipora, these are the only questions that were relevent to the judge: 1) Is the accused within British jurisdiction? 2) Is the person accused of war crimes? 3) Is there prima-facie evidence of guilt? If the answer is YES to all three then a warrant for the arrest of that suspect MUST be issued, and it does not - and should not - matter one whit wether doing that embarrasses either Brown or Millibrand.

What Arab leader is not guilty of mass murder and many other human rights violations? The Saud King, Syrian dictator Assad, Mubarak, Quadafi, and many others have brutally suppressed minority groups, political groups, and others not to mention often murdering them and/or torture. This is a joke as Israeli leaders are among the most upstanding and moral in the world.

is no match for British Judicial buggery. This was her chance to show the rest of Israel how brave she really is.

'Using white phosphorous in built up areas resulting in appalling injuries and deaths to women, the elderly and children should never get a free pass from so called freedom loving countries.' The use of white phosphorus is not prohibited by any international conventions, so far as I know. But regardless, if you are so concerned about its use in built-up areas: Have you ever given thought as to Hamas' motives for co-siting itself with Gaza's civilian populations? How very humane of Meshal and his lot. You really should save your outrage (and your insults) for Hamas, my friend. MV

The vast majority of Israelis believe the war was totally just, and so would you if your countrymen had been living for 8 years under a rocket barrage. Have you ever been in the firing line? If you had you would wonder why it took your government so long to react. "Everybody in Israel" knows the only guilty party here was Hamas who put their civilians (many of whom weren't innocent at all) at risk. If there had not been a constant rocket barrage would Livni et al have needed to order the campaign?

Right, the IDF has big weapons and are afraid to die, and they kill children and women to give Hamas a lesson. Hamas unfortunately cannot match that.

Hey Harry. We sunk an innocent enemy battleship during the Falklands war - aren't we supposed to sink enemy warcraft? Haven't you heard, at this minute - there are no British troops in Iraq! As for freedom for Northern Ireland - we wish. We would love to get rid of the place. Unfortunately two thirds of the NI population want to remain part of the UK - looks like we're stuck with them. As for Britain taking out arrest warrants for suspected war criminals - well, isn't that just exactly what Israel did, and is still doing, against former Nazis? Practice what you preach!

If the warrant was "secretly issued" - without the knowledge of the British government- as is quite possible given the English legal system, then it wasn't a "political mistake" as Peres states. There would be very few votes in changing the law which allows this harassment, so it is unlikely to receive attention this side of the UK's forthcoming general election. Till it is corrected, concerned parties in the UK should retaliate in kind: for example, against the likes of the Islamist friends of London's former mayor, Ken Livingstone,

This statement by Milliband is an appeasement to diplomatic protocol. I doubt if anything will be done to alter the reality. The legal profession in the UK has undergone mass entry by Muslims with the express intent to destabilise the neutrality of the legal system. It is aided and abetted by liberal elements many of them Jewish lawyers who realise that the progress of their careers depend upon their silence or support for radical causes associated with anti- Israel hysteria. The British government will wring its hands but wait until the fuss dies down because it does not wish to take on the "legal establishment".

I am ashamed that you are British too. You sound far more like an American bible belter or aipac supporter. Keen as you are to hand out blank cheques to Israel. Using white phosphorous in built up areas resulting in appalling injuries and deaths to women, the elderly and children should never get a free pass from so called freedom loving countries. Nor should the deliberate destruction of food production facilities and water treatment plants. All this was outlawed because of the heinous tactics of the Nazis. How ironic. Can't you renounce your citizenship?...please!

why don't you all get together and hire a lawyer to file your accusations with the court... or stop your jabbering about it! the court's are responding to complaints filed...they won't just do it on their own. nothing ventured, nothing gained...and obviously these palestinian groups are doing some venturing. YOU CAN TOO! against any of the people you're ranting about being able to travel freely without fear of arrest. what's really funny about this, is that they're all afraid to call the bluff. england isn't iran. no kangaroo courts to worry about, no shackles and chains while awaiting trial, a relatively fair and objective legal system(unlike some places we know of)... so what exactly is it they're so worried about? one or two trials, if it gets that far, with no evidence of wrongdoing, if that's the case; and any subsequent attempts will likely be deemed "frivolous" by the courts. and really, what evidence could these people possibly have that isn't already known? maybe THAT'S what has them worried...they DO know what they are or aren't guilty of...but they DON'T know if anyone has solid evidence of either.

Is he perhaps JEWISH?

Channel 4's documentary about the control and dominance of the Israel lobby in Westminster is only re-emphasised by this story!

the danger from hamas to israel is as significant as the danger of islamists to the u.s. and other western states. furthermore, the u.s. lists hamas as a terror organisation. so does the eu and others. regarding your other post: it makes no difference what your personal opinion of livni and barak is. the uk had foolishly passed an act of parliament allowing private individuals to initiate suits on accusing foreign leaders of war crimes. as long as there are barristers who are willing to initiate such suits, and there always will be, there is nothing israel can do. it would require an act of parliament to reverse the situation. labour is most likely to lose the next elections. maybe then parliament will act.

Everybody in Israel knows she is guilty as charged and so are the other zionists at the top. But they do not believe killing innocent people is wrong when God is with you. They think it is population control, and they are only Palestinians anyway. PS so also though other people : 'Gott mit uns'.

Since Channel 4 has revealed a few weeks ago, that the Conservative party in the UK has been pretty much "bought" by right-wing Zionists there, the Labour party must be worried that their chances in the elections next year will be pretty close to zero without also attracting rich Jewish donors (to be honest, they won't have a chance anyway). So Milibands and Browns declarations have very little to do with their own convictions, but a whole lot with their desperate search for a few additional "bucks" (or rather English pounds of course...:).

Why spent your money and help the UK economy. Simply stop visiting them - no more holidays to the UK.

'Miliband said the British government was determined that arrest threats against visitors of Livni's stature would not happen again. "Israel is a strategic partner and a close friend of the United Kingdom."' Does anybody in Israel and Britain apart from Milliband view the two countries as strategic partners? I mean we buy things from each other. Britain's in NATO and the EU and Israel has vague links with both. We're both friends of America. But 'strategic partners'? Really? Or is that just a BS phrase that Milliband dreamed up, to get Lieberman off his back?

I think Milliband has got himself in a bit of a mess here. He's rushed off to cosy up to Lieberman and Israel, calling the arrest warrant insufferable and saying it's all going to change. Now that will stop Israel shouting at him, but it's pretty unwise. Firstly, it makes him look in British eyes like he's grovelling to Israel, which is particularly unfortunate since he's Jewish and needs to look completely and clearly impartial on matters linked to Israel. Secondly, he probably can't deliver. There's an interesting piece on the Jerusalem Post saying that the UK government has repeatedly told Israel it wants to change this situation but has repeatedly had to tell Israel that 'the time is not right'. What this means is parliament and the UK nation, while not usually anti-Israel, have been successively shocked by Lebanon 2, Cast Lead and the election of Bibi's extremist government. We don't want to change the law for Israel at the moment and Brown and Milliband probably can't force us.

Ghadafi, Bashar-al Assad and/or Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will pick up on this, play at the same game, and get arrest warrants in place for a whole lot of Western Leaders. I would like to see Putin, Bush , Barak Obama, Chirak, John Howard and Blaire all with arrest warrants on them, and look towards the English democracy's response.

Common sence tells that the way the law in UK works today is absurd. UK do your job and adopt your legislation

Any of the Israeli officials accussed could by abducted and secretly transferred to a country that would prosecute them. You know, like Mossad has done in the past.

To those who say that if she's innocent Livni's got nothing to worry about and she should just let herself get arrested, how many of them would be prepared to interupt their lives and their jobs and spend a few weeks or months in a British jail? Like her policies or not (and I don't), she is a democratically elected Leader of the Opposition and has an important role in Israeli life, representing hundreds of thousands of citizens who should not be deprived of her services. Mind you, I think there's a case for saying she should get arrested just to see how long it would take Britain to change the law to require attorney-general's approval for a warrant - probably as long as it takes to say "issue a warrant"!

I know another biggest mistake of Britain: the Balfour declaration.

Lets not presume guilt, All the Israeli officials deserve a fair trial.

It has nothing to do with politics but rather the rule of law in Britain. There is no time limit for prosecution of war crimes and eventually the guilty will be brought to justice. We all know it is "customary" for Israel to ignore International Law but one day the piper MUST be paid.

British politicians are not going to amend British Law because Lieberman told them to. Even thinking that centuries of independence of action between the judiciary and Parliament is going to be swept away because a former nightclub bouncer with genocidal fantasies has said so is frankly delusional. It would be better for everyone if Israel just cut to the chase and severed all ties with The United Kingdom, afterall we are shortly to become the next Afghanistan, and have never liked Israel, particularly after Livni's parents killed 91 British soldiers at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem.

are using mighty big words against the United Kingdom for internal domestic Israeli consumption. The fact is there is very little that Israel can do to remedy this situation which is certainly not going t change before the next general election in the UK if ever. Political interference with the independence of the British Judiciary will never make it through the Houses of Parliament.

and boycott all British Goods. That will learn them not to accuse Israelis of being war criminals. Whilst we are at it withdrawing the Israeli ambassador and severing all diplomatic ties and flights to and from Israel and Britain should happen. Great Britain is no friend of Israel and all ties should be severed.

"UK law has been refined over several centuries," And it's going to be a little more refined after this. " and no rational politician would ever dare question the jurisdiction of the courts. " Rational people understand that it's the politicians who write the laws the courts interpret.

I think Israel's supporters might be celebrating rather too soon. All that has happened is that Milliband, Britain's rather inexperienced and low profile foreign secretary, who happens to be Jewish which may or may not be relevant to this case, has personally said he's shocked by this situation and called for urgent review and reform of the relvant laws. Milliband himself has no power to change any laww and it's unclear who he's speaking for here. He may be speaking for Brown, but he may not even be speaking for the whole government, let alone the whole of parliament or the UK. It might be like Lieberman saying something for Israel. He's probably hoping something can be changed without actually changing any laws, because I'm not sure the UK or parliament would agree to change the law for someone involved in Cast Lead. Certainly don't necessarily expect changes soon.

If they dare lay a hand on any of our leaders, political or millitary it should be seen as an act of war, such as which Israel must arrest all UK diplomats in the country including the UK ambassador, allow the use of millitary means to free our citizens from UK captivity, and declare the end of the "peace" process forever and ever until our leaders are free.

most war crime allegations against israel took place during the ground invasion... barak wanted to stop the operation after a few days... livni didn't want the ground invasion... that would leave olmert, who insisted on carrying out the ground invasion, as the one who bears the real responsibility for what happened during its course.

Seems you don't understand the Brits Jane. Its nothing to do with being taken over by Islamists, its to do with the inheritance of the inglorious British Empire! Britain invaded and occupied countries all around the globe, many of which were Moslem countries. Guess what, when these countries were later welcomed into the British Commonwealth, they all decided to come to the "Mother Country." which then promptly treated them as second class citizens for decades. Now they are second or third generation Brits - just like the US is full of immigrants. The fact that they are Moslems is coincidental

Chicken 1 Livni, who is convinced she was correct to support the offensive against Gaza. Chicken 2 Miliband, who recoils before the Israeli diplomats and promises to re-arrange UK law A pox on the pair of them. If Livni is still SURE she was right, then she should go to UK and take her chance. If, unlikely but if, she were arrested this would mightily embarrass UK govt and it would be quickly "sorted." She would have gained immeasurable prestige at home, instead of the present contempt for her "prudence." Silly Mili, as a mini-ster in a fag-end failing govt, is in no position to promise "reform" of a judicial process that is NOT controlled by the politicos. There's an English proverb: Be sure your chickens will come home to roost. Afraid Israel and UK are stuck with these birds for the time being. But that's no reason for the press to join the clucking and cackling.

So no laws for government criminals?

Miliband is not empowered to change the law. Israel has scoured the world for Nazi war criminals and others and some believe the actions against Gaza were indeed war crimes. Of course Livni was also a Mossad spy ....

hamas would exist, in one form or another, whether they were islamic or not. your attempt to link them to the same islamic bunch the u.s. is fighting in afghanistan is a popular zionist ploy used to divert attention away from the real causes behind their militancy. the united states recognizes the distinction between hamas and the terrorist groups it's fighting elsewhere. it's a distinction that YOU refuse to accept; but it IS real. i don't care for hamas, not only because of their terrorist activities, but also because i think their methods are a complete detriment to the palestinian people. i condemn them for the potential that they've allowed to waste away while they pursue their unrealistic and untenable militant goals at the expense of the palestinian people...nor do i care for their religious extremism, because although it's not quite as bad as some, it doesn't belong in ANY free society. but affiliating them with global terror groups because they're islamic is nothing but a propaganda smear tactic that's meant to fool the ignorant into believing that hamas is an international terrorist threat like al-qaida, et al. it's NOT.

To Paul - Israeli did kill many members of Hamas government and in peace process.

a judge who issues a warrant against a foreign national without effective jurisdiction and the ability to bring the defendant to court or order evidence and/or the ability to enforce any judgment is an incompetent idiot and should be removed !!

Fortunately the Brits have a little more humanity than the Romans had. Amending or repealing the law should prove entertaining. The choices are kinda stark.

I agree continuing the war against Hitler was a mistake. We should have accepted the terms Lord Halifax had negotiated. Hitler having a free rein in Europe in return for us keeping the empire. That was a tactical error we should never repeat, particularly at the time the United States was trading with the Third Reich. Wouldn't be seeing all this crap thats for sure.

It started with a bang in Gaza, now the war criminals and their supporter are up in arms over the thought of arrests...One of life's little pleasures is watching the guilty squirm.

Britain pledged Tuesday" to reform a peculiar legal power that lets judges order the arrest of visiting politicians and generals - a threat currently focused on Israeli visitors that, one day, might be invoked against Barack Obama or Vladimir Putin." Protecting your favourite war criminal while pursuing the not so favoured war criminal. Sounds complicated, nah,this type of logic is a paradigm used in double speak for the gullible.

Michael:"There is only one clear thing to do with such a hypocritical and war mongering thieving nation." Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

The Muslims/Arabs are becoming more powerful by the year in the UK. Within 15-20 years the UK will become a Muslim State. The UK people are blind to this fact. Mark my words!!!!!!

universal jurisdiction is not centuries old. rather, it dates to the 1990's.

Israel is losing the propaganda war. This is incredible considering the "clout"(chutzpah) it exerts all over the world. Something else is happening. It's called "realisation" No cure for that...She will be arrested in Australia as well.

Why would anyone care? The british legal system is completely crooked. When a man protects his family and propoerty from violent youths and tries to respond, that person is jailed while the perpetrators go off free. Great justice system there, NOT!

acts or laws of universal jurisdiction empower a few private individuals to bring criminal suits on the basis of political motivations outside the interests of the state. these laws abrogate the roles and power of duly elected governments. none of the parties in the process of universal jurisdiction application have been elected. they all represent the interests of foreign parties that have no connection to the state.

So what about all the ministers who have cheated the expenses system. I don't see any pof them going to jail or even to court, yet the Law does say they should be tried for fraud. You have such a naive view of the British Judicial system and its impact

Netanyahu , Livni and the rest of their Politico bunch deserve this. When the UK banned Feiglin they kept quiet. Shame on them and now they are the same. A goy stays a goys towards all Jews. Netanyahu is spineless- He should immediately break all diplomatic relations with Uk until even Feiglin is admitted. Shamir or Begin would have fought for Feiglin and broken all diplomatic relations. Netanyahu has no guts.

U.K has become a playground for variety lunatics, Lefty groupies of Islam and pathetic international shcnorers who tried their luck suing Israeli author Rachel Ehrenfeld, following terror money all the way to the pasty princes of Saudia or attempting on behalf of Spain to detain General Pinochet visiting the U.K, before his death, helped by the mindless Jewish High Court Judge, Lord Hoffman, a South African prig, remotely related to me, whose groupie wife was a Human Rights activist in London, so much for conflict of interests. This is not to justify the heavy handed Pinochet, but Chile served as a staging platform for the battle of the Malvinas, so this is the thanks the general who saved Chile from the clutches of Communism gets-an insult and the back of the hand. I assume that many Mapamniks are delighted to see Livni, a daughter of an Irgun commander getting kicked around by the U.K legal system, but all Israelis should remember that we are all on this thing without an exception.

Britain pledged Tuesday" to reform a peculiar legal power that lets judges order the arrest of visiting politicians and generals - a threat currently focused on Israeli visitors that, one day, might be invoked against Barack Obama or Vladimir Putin." Protecting your favourite war criminal while pursuing the not so favoured war criminal. Sounds complicated, nah,this type of logic is a paradigm used in double speak for the gullible.

Chased the Mastodons out of North Africa. Now the mutants have successfully caught up with the elephants and they call it a circus.

UK law has been refined over several centuries, and no rational politician would ever dare question the jurisdiction of the courts. The Judge decides whether there is sufficient evidence to issue an arrest warrant for alleged war criminals, not the politicians, and anyone who thinks that process will be changed to accommodate Israel is totally deluded!

Michael:"There is only one clear thing to do with such a hypocritical and war mongering thieving nation." Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

It started with a bang in Gaza, now the war criminals and their supporter are up in arms over the thought of arrests...One of life's little pleasures is watching the guilty squirm.

"If Tsipi Livni is a war criminal, so is every foreign minister of every government that has waged war" Waging war is not a crime its how you wage the war, Meyshe. Thats the definition of war crimes.Have you forgotten all about the white phosphorus over civillians or the swathes of farmland bulldozed artillary shells in urban areas among hundreds of other atrocitys and these things were so many no one could call them accidental. I could go over more but i'd rather not because it reduced me to tears the last time I watched over tv and internet.Dead parents and dead children and distraught people and crying children come to mind.Think first before making a silly post. Peace brother!

Fahmida Abdul Sattar... I didn't realize you speak for all Moslems, but since you do... I've got a couple of questions. Let's see... you live in Karachi, the most tolerant city for Muslim women... right. This is were your own countrywoman, Benazir Bhutto was shot dead in the street simply because she dares to run for office. Female schools in Karachi are blown to smithereens by your fellow Muslims on a daily basis. Karachi and Pakistan in general, treats it's women no better then it's own Muslim pets or dogs. Yet you... a spokeswoman for Moslems, have a problem with ex-FM Livni. You know... one would expect for Karachi women to stand-up for their own civil rights and against suicide bombings. But I guess, that's not on the agenda... is it. Yes... we all know, you are a shinny example of modern society... aren't you.

Thanks for your excellent post. People should not forget that the law of universal jurisdiction was conceived after the horrors of WWII. It is there to make it easier to catch politicians and generals accused of war crimes and to make them think twice before they commit these crimes.

If Tsipi Livni is a war criminal, so is every foreign minister of every government that has waged war, including UK--how foolish to single out Israel. Very stupid law--diplomacy would grind to a halt if it were enforced.

What Miliband is saying, essentially, is that because the UK considers Israel a "strategic partner", it doesn't believe international law should apply to Israelis. What an utter disgrace to see the British government groveling to Israeli war criminals. Did it ever occur to Mr. Miliband that Israel needs the support of Western nations like Britain far more than they need Israel? Once again, a Western government bends over backwards to prove their grotesque hypocrisy when it comes to human rights and Israel. Why should anyone take them seriously when they lecture the rest of the world on justice and human rights when they so obviously don't believe in these concepts themselves?

"And why aren`t missile-throwing Palestinians also criticized for committing war crimes?" They were criticized, but Israel voted against the Goldstone Resolution that said so. It seems that there was a problem when the definition of war crimes was applied consistently.

Who in this world gave the Brits the rights to judge the rest of this world? Are they still dreaming of the time de sun never sat in the Brits Empire? Haaaa, they are playing up to the soon to be an Islamic island, then God save the Queen, she would soon have to cover her face so not to ofend the growing Islamic population like they have done not to teach in schools the Olocaust, as not to ofend them.

"The Israeli government should immediately issue arrest warrants for any and all British police, soldiers, sailors and administrative official that between 1919 and 1948, arbitrarily arrested, tortured, hanged and shot any Jewish resident of the Mandatory period. Of course, you'll support the arrest and punishment of all involved in the blowing up of the King David Hotel, the lynching of British soldiers, and the boobytrapping of their bodies. No,of course not. That was completely different because......

C'mon Tzipora, you miss the good looks of the ignorant. Miliband is not in a position to change the law-based routine, fortunately. War crime suspects better stay at home.

So now the Brits have caved, how does Israel want the matter handled? Blanket immunity for all Israelis? Or just repeal the law entirely? Or just target it to any nationality that Israel wants it to affect on any particular day?

"We are all livni. Every israeli is Livni and Livni is Israel And israel is livni." Wow! That's going to mean a hell of a lot of arrest warrants!

"Would be nice to see Israel issue an arrest warrent to Tony Blair..." Actually, yes it would be nice to see. And from what I understand, most Brits would support the justice of doing so. That's the difference.

Typical British hypocrisy.

That's what she said. During the bloody, ever-spinning Cast Lead dreidl slaughter, Livni was asked by an interviewer about the unsettlingly growing amount of reported civilian deaths, especially the children. The woman shrugged her shoulders and wearily uttered: "Oh, the civilians [like, don't bother me with that little detail, go away already...], this is a war, there are always civilian deaths." Yeah.

Does this mean that, if his frozen body were resuscitatied in Russia, the former political figure Adolf Hitler were to visit Israel, he wouldn't be liable to arrest? Now let's twist ourselves into knots to say how some war crimes are war crimes, and some war crimes are not war crimes, all dependent on who gets to make the rules. Evil men everywhere are laughing from their graves.

You realize that this is the same law that was used to catch and prosecute Nazis on the run from justice? If she's innocent of war crimes charges, she'll be found so. Running just proves her guilt.

"a threat currently focused on Israeli visitors that, one day, might be invoked against Barack Obama or Vladimir Putin" ANYONE complicit in the commission of war crimes should, at the very least, be discomfitted by the threat of arrest. It is a very small justice, but justice nonetheless. Now, even this is to be removed!

"If Livni is proud of her role, let her defend it in court or let he argue that she is immune." - Mark of Lewiston Livni doesn't have that kind of guts or conviction. Indeed, she seems well aware she would be convicted. It is astounding how Israel has remade itself in the image of those who demanded that they could not be tried at Nuremberg. But as an American I have no right to object, George W. Bush and his gang of thugs are all walking around free when they should be on death row. If America can be a land where mass murder for profit is tolerated, why not Israel?

pressure and muzzle its judiciary. I can't think of anything that will make it clearer to people that they can't rely on their government to ever put justice above the wishes of the Israeli government. Watch the Boycott campaign get a lot more support. And it won't only be in Britain that that happens.

Err.....You will recall that the UK does not have a written constitution that provides for separation of powers. Parliament, through its majority party, the leader of which is the executive, can change any law it chooses. Remember when Parliament took away the equivalent of the 5th amendment (US) right against self-incrimination?

I am proud of having chosen this great country as my home and the home for my children. It is a country where human values are respected...where human life is the most precious asset no matter whether you are a jew or an arab, black or white. Nasrallah can not travel to the UK because he is going to be prosecuted, nor does Pinochet. Why then Tzipi Livni should, after the Gaza massacre? (Just for the record, I am not an arab nor a muslim. And I believe Nasrallah, Livni or Pinochet should be arrested for crimes against humanity).

... and walk away from far worse. But I wouldn't have it any other way. How else is the world diplomacy to work? London has gone nuts.

Why even bother going to the UK? The message the UK is sending to Israel is clear. We rather befriend countries that support terror acts in the UK and around the world, make excuses for them and blame Israel for defending itself from the same murderers. How sick is that? Obviously not sick enough for the UK, they are even changing history of WWII just not to offend their new and rapidly growing Muslim population. The day isn't far when the stupid Brits will be under Muslim role in their own country.

Michael:"There is only one clear thing to do with such a hypocritical and war mongering thieving nation." Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

Yes, it is a bit over the top, I suppose, but it also does well express the World community's frustration and anger with the atrocious behavior of the Israelis in reaction to the meager efforts of the Palestinians to resist the brutality of the occupation and the punishment of the whole of Gaza for the actions of a few. Yes, there have been other and worse examples of powerful states suppressing the weak, but that does not in the least excuse Israel from its actions. And yes, some arabs have done terrible things to Jews over the years, but that too, does not excuse Israel. The "I did it because he did it" argument belongs in a the schoolyard, not in international diplomacy among adults.

War criminals should stay at home. You saw what happened to Pinochet, Israeli leaders are not immune from international law, despite their friends...

"I do not believe that Milliband would openly criticise a court decision. Ministers just do not do that sort of thing." Your beliefs are foolish. The British PM got involved last time a lower court tried this sort of idiocy. Plus, here's an article for your disbelieving eyes to gander upon. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/15/israel-tzipi-livni-arrest-warrant: "David Miliband, the foreign secretary, said tonight the government was "looking urgently" at ways the legal system might be changed following action against Tzipi Livni, Israel's opposition leader, over her role in the Gaza war."

"Miliband is quoted as saying that the British Government is urgently looking at ways of changing hundreds of years of the legal system in the United Kingdom to appease israel." To appease Israel? How about not to allow their lower courts to cause the government to look like a bunch of imbeciles.

And I am not only proud that my nation remained neutral and carried on trade with the Germans during WWII, but I am proud that I am now able to accuse people of war crimes on the internet for actions they took to stop rockets from firing on their people. If only I'd been able to accuse Churchill of the same during the V2s. Now that is something I'd have been very proud of!

"Israel has a double standard. She rejoices when alleged Holocaust prepetrators are arrested abroad and sometimes allows them to be extradited to Israel for trial. She complainse when the legal systems of the same countries try to bring alleged Israeli criminals to justice. " There is no double standard. Jews weren't attacking Germans. Palestinians were attacking Israelis. Before Operation Cast Lead, the Palestinians dramatically increased their rocket fire into Israel. Israel warned them to stop. I suppose you also think it's a double standard that cops can arrest criminals and criminals can't arrest cops?

"...the British Government is urgently looking at ways of changing hundreds of years of the legal system in the United Kingdom to appease israel." The UK first claimed universal jurisdiction in 1957 pursuant to the Geneva Conventions (and didn't prosecute under it until this century). Now how many "hundreds of years" is that? Your math is apparently on par with your legal skills. Best not to give up your day job. (On which point could I have extra fries with my order?)

I'm not sure that the House of Commons and the British public are going to be very pleased about the idea of changing fundamentals of the British justice system just so Israeli politicians can come to give speeches here. The British public was genuinely horrified by Cast Lead and I'm not sure why Milliband is gorvelling in quite such an absurd way to Israel. He says 'Israel is a strategic partner'. Is it? I mean I guess Israel has links with NATO and the EU, but I'm not really aware of either Israel regarding the UK as a special friend or vice versa. Milliband is, of course, Jewish but I would like to think that he is putting his allegiance to Britain ahead of any allegiance to Israel. I guess the UK Conservatives, loyal as ever to America, would support Milliband's ideas on this, but I'm pretty sure that all Lib Dems and most Labour MPs would be totally against it. I think Milliband might be speaking out of turn.

There is an old joke. One elderly Jew sits on a bench in Nazi Germany and reads a newspaper "Der Stürmer". Another, younger Jewish man comes along and asked: "Shmuel, mamele, why are you reading this anti-semitic garbage?". The old man replied: "You know, Yakov, only here I can realize and appreciate how rich and powerful we are and how much influence we have on economy and world politics. It makes me forget the reality". On a serious note a small question: "Do you have a solid proof on Jewish influence in UK politics and on decision to send troops to Iraq and Afghanistan? I don't mean of course the ethnic origin of Mr. Miliband:)"

U.K. vows to end arrest threats to top Israeli officials So, in UK the court could be intervened by Milliband, couldn't it?

Once again a small group of fanatics attempt to hijack Britain's foreign policy. These losers come from and support non-democracies and therefore have no respect or regard for our laws or culture, yet we continually allow this. We are too soft a touch and should end this crap right away.

The British started this whole mess with the Balfour declaration and now they are simply trying to make right the wrong they bestowed upon the Pals with that declaration. I tip my hat to them for their heroic effort for at least trying. The Brits are giving Tzipi a day in Court to defend her position and that's a true democracy. Israel on the other hand and through the Mossad acts as the judge and executioner without due process.

- of its 'friendship' w/israel, nor because of livni's & others' high status. there must be something seriously wrong w/how 'universal jurisdiction' works /is allowed to work, in principle, when this kind of abuse is possible. livni wasn't officially accused nor indicted anywhere for anything, so how could she /anyone in a similar situation be arrested? what is needed is to raise anew a global debate about this kind of jurisdiction & then agree on & fix one global standard. otherwise you'll keeep having the potential for this disparate kind of legal guerilla war that someone will know how to use in his favour politically.

unlike other leaders she is a courageous leader who had to take a very difficult decisions , in order to protect her country. in a war there is never black or white. and we ,who see everything from the outside should be more careful in our judgements if we ever want to see peace.

livni is a courageous leader who acted having in mind the safety of her country. the british should go back to their history and admitt all their wrong doings towards numerous countries ( india , greece etc ). before issuing arrest warrants for state leaders who have the courage to fight for their country.

looking through these posts the answer appears to be NO!!!!!

IS IT TRUE THAT THE ENGLISH QUEEN WAS SEEN WEARING A HIJAB ?

It was disgusting to see what the IDF did in Hamas, but it was even more disgusting to see how USA and UK acted in Iraq. And here goes Mister Blair admitting the WMDs were an excuse to bring down the Saddam regime. They lied. Bush, Blair, Livni and Olmert should all face trial for War Crimes!

Where's an arrest warrant for Abbas? How about any of the leadership of Lebanon's government, as all sides have been killing each other for decades and support the 60+ year old war against Israel's existence? How about one for Mubarak, for what he's done to his own people? It goes on, but you don't care. There's serious damage, injury and death being done around the world by leaders of countries who aren't defending themselves in a war to sustain the existence of their nations. No other nation has done more to protect civilians than Israel does, while its enemies proudly use civilians as shields. Yet, as long as you can blame Jews out of context to anything else, you're happy. And that's sad...

Foreign Minister Livni is quoted by The Independent on 13 January 2009 as saying :"Israel ... is a country that when you fire on its citizens it responds by going wild -and this is a good thing." The Foreign Minister of the UK expresses shock over her arrest warrant and apologizes to Foreign Minister Liebermann. Does the British Government then condone Operation Cast Lead. This is truly shocking.

Making claims about Iraq and Afghanistan or even the Falklands. Find an Iraqi, Afghani or Falkland refugee in Israel and sponsor him in court its pretty simple. What? You have no Iraqi or Afghani refugees in Israel do you? Awww too bad there goes your master plan for retribution. You can always go to Afghanistan or Iraq and find someone and sponsor them and pay their legal fees.

who are these people that expects Israilies to be bombed daily and not respond.

Also, Every court and every country believes it is fair. However, England, the birthplace of common law and modern due process, has a far better claim to that opinion than most other countries. The people of that country are understandably proud of their status in this regard. Israel's government should tread more lightly, unless it doesn't care how people in England view Israel. Hurling vitreolic insults at England's legal system will be met with more scorn by the English public than people from other countries would anticipate.

That's because officially, he's said nothing on the record; if he did, it would be seen as undermining an independent judiciary.

You've got that right in the U.S - but international courts maybe less onerous. Find a good lawyer though, that'll be a long swim through some rough waters.

How's that shoe fit when it's on the other foot? "However, the hysterical Brit-bashing that this has caused from Israel`s supporters and the ludicrous summoning of Britain`s ambassador to Israel, are actually starting to make me feel rather proud of being British"

I do not believe that Milliband would openly criticise a court decision. Ministers just do not do that sort of thing. This isn't Israel after all - it's a country where the law is respected. Someone is lying.

To CM I agree with you no European court will rule against Hamas Leaders, for a simple reason Hamas leaders were defended them selves, against all American sophisticated weapons in the hands of the IDF. but I apluade the the Israelis for sticking together for Livni. look at the Arab losers they could not do a damm thing to protect the President of Sudan from the dogs of the West.

is quoted as saying that the British Government is urgently looking at ways of changing hundreds of years of the legal system in the United Kingdom to appease israel. Well it is about appeasement but I doubt the way the law operates in the UK is going to change because Tzipi Livni has been accused of being a war criminal. Because that will cause more damage to Anglo-Israeli relations than this current spat. Probably got more to do with the labelling issue the idea Lieberman is apoplectic over the idea that Livni would be arrested is quaintly amusing. Make a fuss over an arrest warrant, and negotiate the dropping of labelling goods as produce of settlers of the West Bank. How Lieberman works.

Miliband can show as much shock as he likes but this is the UK system workly for all and not for the elite few. If you break the law against a people in 1 country and expect immunity in a free and open country then don't bother coming to the UK. Simple really. and for ATM #114 - A lot of the UK citizens are against Israel policy and its apartheid actions. So ATM, please focus on your California colleagues and try not to trumpet for the UK.

Say, have you ever asked yourself, "Am I anti-semitic"? Here is a simple test: Did you warm to the thought of Livni's arrest warrant? If the answer is "yes", did you ALSO demand a warrant for the arrest of leaders of Hamas (who were also accused of war crimes, BTW) or ONLY Livni? If the answer is "no", then, yes, you are anti-semitic. And, welcome to the world of the proto-Nazi. How sweet it is!

The solution is simple. Now the Queen will be visiting Israel and as soon as she touches the ground, she is handed an arrest warrant for crime against humanity (Ireland) and put into a nice prison with all the Palestinians pending trial. The British understand such talk!

Fahmida Abdul Sattar... I didn't realize you speak for all Muslims, but since you do... I've got a couple of questions for you. Let's see... you live in Karachi, the most tolerant city for women... right. This is were your own countrywoman, Benazir Bhutto was shot dead in the street simply because she's a western-style female and dares to run for office. Karachi female schools are blown to smithereens by your fellow countrymen on a daily basis. Karachi, and Pakistan in general treats it's own Muslim women no better then it's pets and dogs. BTW, when you're accused in a Karachi court, exactly how many women does it take to free you of the charges. Yet you... a spokeswoman for Muslims, have a problem with ex-FM Livini. You know... one would expect for Karachi women to stand up for their own civil rights and peacefully demonstrate for freedom in general. But I guess, that's not on the agenda... is it.

So Israel should be held to higher standards than its enemies???? The reasons you invoke are ridiculous, or is it just because it is a jewish state. A british colonel asserted that last year in Gaza, Israel took all the precautions to avoid civilian deaths, like no other nation (he said).

Livni responded to constant attacks on Sderot and the Negev, constant terror attacks and unrelenting bombing on Israeli Citizens. Constant teaching of Palestinians to hate Jews not justIsrael yet the war crime seems to be in Israels court. The us is putting the pressure on again. Remember Terrorist pilot Mohammad Atta blew up a bus in Israel in 1986. The Israelis captured, tried and imprisoned him. As part of the Oslo agreement with the PalestiniANS and in 1993, Israel had to agree to release so-called 'political prisoners.' However, the Israelis would not release any with blood on their hands, The American President at the time, Bill Clinton, and his Secretary of State, Warren Christopher, 'insisted' that all prisoners be released. Thus Mohammad Atta was freed and eventually thanked us by flying an airplane into Tower One of the World Trade Center ... This was reported by many of the American TV networks at the time that the terrorists were first identified. It was censored in the US from all later reports.

If she is innocent,she has nothing to fear.

I have not seen any serious attempt by Israel to investigate those crimes, who authorised them, and on what pretext. Until such an investigation, pressure should remain on those ultimately responsible for the deaths of 1400 Palestinians, a majority of whom were civilians.

Now Milibands got a dilemma on his hands.If he's sincere which I doubt--he is New Labour,after all,his colleagues will just see him as an embarrassing unwanted Jew and get rid of him.If he's not sincere,he'll be added to the list of New Labour liars. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!

You mentioned probable cause?

If ministers in countries such as the UK know that Israel's courts also have the legal backing to have them arrested on suspicion of anyone who cares to apply,they'll be more circumspect in future. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!

The British were haughty, lordly, and arrogant. The nerve, the effrontery!

It seems that the Arab have the world in their hands ! Is that because of oil or the weakness of democracy; where lies are kings & queens ! All you need, in todays democracy, is to have the money! The destructive nature of Arab-Islam proves that is not only possible but it is very easy ! All one needs to find a lop hold of lies& the mouse is out from the bag ! Criminals are everywhere & no justice to catch them. Gaza is sending Kassam as much as its heart's contents & defended by the like of Goldsmith ! If that is not because the balance of justice broken, it must be the democratic system has lost it soul ! Wake up world ! You have more than global warming to worry about . You have a hot air ballon which is called democracy !

Britain has signed the same protocols as Israel. Your comment should be about why Hamas can not seek redress in an Israeli court for contraventions as outlined by Goldstone.

"he [the judge] should be disciplined and removed from the bench it seems to me." It's funny how you say that he was biased although you admit you have not seen any court report. LOL

Once again the British government has shown it is incapable of distiguishing between reality and a third rate sitcom. What we are witnessing is the wholesale conversion of the former empire to a giant Monty Python movie, complete with people dressed as cows,chirping old ladies, and the judiciary dressed in absurd wigs singing a dreary tune composed for them by a bunch of arabs. Remember, this is the same crowd that freed the Lockerbie bomber. It's nice to know your arab oil dollars are going to make someone in England merry.

"The population of the United Kingdom is 61 million of which 3 million profess to follow the Moslem faith, around 3%." check thi out http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/profiles/commentaries/ethnicity.asp More people in Britain attend mosques than the Church of England. It is for the first time that Muslims have overtaken Anglicans. According to figures 930,000 Muslims attend a place of worship at least once a week, whereas only 916,000 Anglicans do the same. Muslim leaders are now claiming that, given such a rise of Islam in Britain, Muslims should receive a share of the privileged status of the Church of England.

She is not a government minister nor an accredited diplomat, so she has no immunity. Barak avoided an arrest warrant when he was in London recently because he has immunity. Incidentally, diplomatic immunity is not an international absolute and can be withdrawn.

I fully agree. A boycott of the United Kingdom by Israel seems pretty pointless, although mildly amusing.

Britain thought it was OK to defend itself against Hitlers missiles and bomb attacks - it was prepared to do whatever was neccesary to stop them. But now apparently its not. So whats next, put Winston Churchill up for war crimes?

"four million muslims in the uk and counting" "only 270000 jews in the uk." WRONG! Wikipedia puts the number at 1.6 million Muslims and .27 million Jews. Of course, over 9 million Britons stated that they have no religion! And 4.2 million did not state their religion. The low number of British Jews is due to the aggressive Israeli policy to encourage immgration to Israel. And don't forget that a large number of British Muslims are British converts! And don't tell me they were forced to convert! Exaggerating the number of Muslims in Europe only helps hesitating converts to take the dive, so keep on exaggerating!!!

It is double standard with Israel again. To say that Israel should not be compared to terrorists is ridiculous. Israel shold be held to higher standard because it is a democracy, it is civilized country, it is a nation of people who suffered for too long. Yes Livni, Israelis can be accountable too. Israel will loose all the support it has by implying these double standards to itself.

War crime is war crime no matter who commits thenm. If the killing of Gaza's children is not war crime, then what is? Now Israel is crying over an independent court's order! Indeed. What of all the court orders that authorise the sezeiure and demolition of Palestenian homes in East Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza? Of which the Israeli government is quick to point out that its an independent court order. What of the International court orders? Same standard folks and some conscience, then the world will be a better place. The militants that target civilians and the millitary that target civilians are the same. Hamas=IDF

Next thing you know the taliban will be demanding a human rights court against nato, for suppressing there freedom of religion

Netanyahu has imposed a travel ban on senior Israeli officials travelling to the United Kingdom. Told you it was a storm in a teacup.

The British people are not behind this. Rather, the bankers and wealthy who run England (and the world) have a pro-Arab agenda related to oil. This implicitly manifests as an anti-Israeli agenda when the two clash, as they so often do. Sadly, the British people go along to get along, just like most people do. It will not only be Israel whose freedom is undermined by globalization, but England, and all of the world.

There has to be some probable cause evidence presented to the court in order for an arrest warrant to be issued. So who was the judge and what probable cause evidence was he presented with. For sure he made a big mistake or he was as biased as the petitioner - he should be disciplined and removed from the bench it seems to me.

The population of the United Kingdom is 61 million of which 3 million profess to follow the Moslem faith, around 3%. I understand that Moslems make up 20% of the population of israel.

Israel has a double standard. She rejoices when alleged Holocaust prepetrators are arrested abroad and sometimes allows them to be extradited to Israel for trial. She complainse when the legal systems of the same countries try to bring alleged Israeli criminals to justice. When I see what Israel is doing to the Palestinians, I am reminded of what U.S. President Thomas Jefferson said in regard to another enslaved people: "I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep forever".

"it can be activated elswhere against british war criminals in iraq and afghanistan ! " You Jewish guys can use this law too,against anyone from any country that breaks the law regarding war crimes.

"This legislation is ironically based on the extension of international law necessary to prossecute Nazi criminals. You have to be able to prosecute war criminals wherever they`re hiding. Otherwise they get away." Pssssst, clueless one... The warrant was disproportionate. The British government isn't portraying the Israeli government as war criminals. Some low, lackey court is over-stepping its power base.

"Ou mean that courts shouldn`t involve themselves with interantional matters like in Nuremberg?" That was an international court, specifically pertaining to the atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis. The lower British Court is taking on an international matter which Britain's own government is embarrassed by. Are you ever embarrassed for making a fool of yourself?

If Israel had followed mr Goldstones recommendations,a credable investigation of cast lead.The law is there for anyone to use and the law cares not about race or colour.The innocent have nothing to fear.The law is for people that are not able to seek justice in their home country for whatever reason.Israel please Investigate Cast lead in a satisfactory way and never fear again of being arrested abroad.Personally I believe in justice for all no matter what religion or country you are from. and before anyone says it this is not an anti semitic ,anti Israel law and we cannot decide its ok for some and not for others,we all have to pay the piper in the end

Ou mean that courts shouldn't involve themselves with interantional matters like in Nuremberg?

I feel for you. Where are the British values that Churchill so proudly defended? Sad to say this but the only folks that seem to taking any actions these days come from the extreme fringes of the UK political sphere such as the BNP. Can not anybody else stand up to this endless hypocrisy? The radical Islamic camp is laughing at the recurring British inclination towards appeasement, much like what took place during the 1930's with regards to the Nazis. I hope history does not repeat itself again..

She is not a diplomat,and does not fall under that protection. By the way, did you feel that way about Pinochet and Milosevic? Or is there a different standard for Israelis than for everyone else?

I know we disagree on most things Jane, but usually you're one of the saner and calmer defenders of Israel on here. With respect, your apocalyptic vision of an Islamic caliphate stretching up Whitehall is complete fantasy. This legislation is ironically based on the extension of international law necessary to prossecute Nazi criminals. You have to be able to prosecute war criminals wherever they're hiding. Otherwise they get away. It has nothing to do witH islam at all, though, of course, Muslim Uk citizens can make use of the legislation, just as Jewish ones can. If they feel there's some Arab who's come over here who's committed crimes against Israel and who isn't covered by diplomatic immunity, then they can apply for an arrest warrant. I'm sure you'd support that. I know I would.

Did he actually say this or is it just wishful thinking?

Ever heard of a"frivolous lawsuit"? This is just an arrogant abuse of the legal process. Its rather ironic coming from Britain, the nation responsible for setting the Middle East problems into motion and the nation that from 1939-48, before, during and for three years after the Holocaust diverted its naval resources from WWII to fight impoverished Jewish refugees to prevent them from migrating to their ancestral homeland in order to appease Arabs. The British imprisoned tens of thousands of Jewish refugees, mostly Holocaust survivors, in camps in Cyprus behind barbed wire until 1949 AFTER Israel's War of Independence for the crime of being Jews that survived and escaped. It is an un-charged Crime Against Humanity. Ironic,eh?

is about resources and about fear and hate.

It seems the push of Islamists and other radicals taking power in the is UK further along than any of us realized. Before long Shariah law will prevail and the Islamists will have won the war against radical Islam in the courts of England. Israel must go beyond protesting and recall its diplomats from the UK while showing British diplomats the door out of Israel. There is a limit to how far we can allow this anti-Israel propaganda to go from a supposed ally. This is insanity.

"What I suspect is happening here is that British politicians like Brown and Milliband himself are getting nervous about being arrested in other countries for war crimes." Little insignificant courts shouldn't be involving themselves in international matters, genius.

"Livni very brave except when facing British cops. If you`ve nothing to hide it`s usual to say so to cops, rather than desperately trying to avoid them." And what if some small, petty magistrate is convinced by a group of fanatics (who are abusing the law) issues an arrest warrant that your own government realizes is a small, petty magistrate abusing the law?

You simply don't understand any of the resolutions. You have it backwards, don't worry I'm here to help you. First Israel is violation of none of the resolutions you mentioned. Here is a explanation of Israel's legal standing if your truly interested. It is a long read but explains clearly that your wrong and why. http://www.acpr.org.il/English-NATIV/02-issue/grief-2.htm

I am dismayed that Milliband has made this statement, despite the fact that there is a prima facie case (goldstone and several other authorities) that Livni was responsible for issuing orders that lead to war crimes. However, contrary to what many Israeli believe, the majority of the UK Government are pro-Israel and only protest at the most extreme examples of Israeli action against the Palastinians. Milliband is one of these.

Milliband is one of the most forgettable foreign ministers we've ever had. I can't think of anything he's actually done except issue occasional statements everyone ignores. What I suspect is happening here is that British politicians like Brown and Milliband himself are getting nervous about being arrested in other countries for war crimes. While I suspect most British citizens would happily see Blair, Brown and Milliband on trial for Iraq and Afghanistan alongside Olmert, Barak and Livni on trial for Cast Lead. I can't remember the last time there has been such a lack of talented and moral leadership in the western world.

downing street has spoken. of course they would not arrest livni if 10 downing street and israeli pyramid on high court are top friends. israel=britain. all games between these two are made up. and this was just a nice daily puppet news for the masses.

... is to delegitimise her leaders. The UK's action is far worse than 'insufferable'. I am ashamed today to call myself a Briton. MV

Since when it bacame a crime to protect your country, your house , your family and yourself from terrorists. For many years hamas bombed civilian neighborhoods in Israel. After so many calls from Israel to stop the bombs, hamas continued to bomb Israel. What did they expect? A kiss in the cheek for killing and terrorizing Israel? hamas harvested what they planted and if there is anyone responsible for it it is hamas only. It is against all self preservation laws to call terrorist a person which is defending itself from terrorists itself.

"Israel in Violation of UNSec Res242,194,338" No, it isn't.

If you've nothing to hide it's usual to say so to cops, rather than desperately trying to avoid them. Nice of Israeli politicans doing their 'we're all Livni act'. I bet Barak and Olmert wouldn't be doing that if Livni was in a Britosh cell. I can't exactly see them arriving at Heathrow and announcing 'we're Livni, try us too.' Oh and by the way, if you want to try Blair or Jack Straw etc. feel absolutely free, as long as you do it fairly.

Wikipedia describes diplomatic immunity (DI). DI assures that diplomats are given safe passage and are not susceptible to lawsuit or prosecution in the host country (in this case Britian). I am surprised that there could be so much a do. Arrest warrant or not, I would think Livni has DI (same as American and French diplomat visitors) and generally cannot be arrested while in Britian.

Well, Charlie, you say that "Terrorists and other people who disregard accepted rules of war should be stopped." The trouble is that, in the view of many, that is exactly what the law does. The Israeli attack on Gaza was indeed in violation of the accepted rules of war (try reading the Goldstone report). And if you claim that killing 248 new police recruits was the way to protect the Israeli people, then what can you day to Hamas's claim that the suicide bombers are protecting Palestinians?

"The best way to judge what was right in Gaza or elsewhere, is to put oneself in the situation without knowing what side one is on. (Read J. Rawls, "A sense of Justice". Suppose Jews had been the victims instead of the perpetrators in Gaza. How would Jews feel?" If I was firing an average of 5 rockets a day into another country, then increased the rocket barrages to 40 a day for about a week, I would expect a very intense response. How do you feel about THAT?

The Goldstone report hardly qualifies as evidence of fault by Israel of international humanitarian and human rights laws.Its objectivity is questioned by the mandate given by the UNHRC to investigate all violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws by Israel.The mandate held that the guilty party was Israel before the investigation began.This Alice in Wonderland nonsense said nothing of the nearly 8000 rockets and mortars launched from Gaza,to say nothing of IEDs and suicide bombers killing hundreds of Israelis by Palestinians from Gaza(and the West Bank).

"international law. You politicians may choose to ignore international law , but the consequense is that these same politicians cannot then expect to travel internationally" In other words, YOUR British politicians are subject to being arrested in Israel for any civilian deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan, correct?

Why not issiue an arrest warrant for Mr. Putin and his KGB pals for killing Mr. Litvinenko who was a British citizen at the time. Oh I forgot they can't do that because Putin will laugh at them and it will cost them on a diplomatic front. I guess British views change depending on who they are dealing with

We Britons should brings this type of charges against Bush, Chenny and also to the German chief of staff for his role in Kunduz massacre in Afghanistan. Let's see British Government will change this law or risking relations with USA and Germany. Double standard can't be tolarated.

Israel is used to getting its way through its threats and intimidation. No different here but we hope the Brits will stand up to this arrognace and tell them "no thank you". If Israel continues with its obstruction, we will see this movement grow, at first unsuccessful but out there. As Israel continues on its course of international deception, we will see more nations come on board simply because the violations commited by Israel will be so flagrant that any moral nation will not be able to hold back and any Israeli leader who travels outside the country will and should be subject to arrest.

In addition to Livni, Olmert, and being war criminals - Israel itself is in blantant violation of UN Sec Council Resolutions 242, 194, 338, the Geneva Conventions, and International Law. Israel itself is committing war crimes and must be forced to conform to these outstanding UN Sec Council Resolutations, the Geneva Conventions, and International Law or face UN action Any civil war Israel needs to fight with herself to effect these changes - tough luck - this time it's on her own dime

It's not often I'm proud to be British, but this is one of those rare occassions. Most of those responding really don't have a clue as to how a real democracy works. The sooner the Gaza war triumvirate is herded into a corner the better.

All laws are creatures of politics, but international laws are particularly obvious examples. Countries write them when they feel like it, observe them when they feel like it, and change them when they feel like it. Sure, we need international laws, but we also need to force our governments to change them when needed - like the one that authorizes these arrest warrants. A local magistrate has no authority to declare that a particular law needs to be changed. That's why the Israeli diplomats are talking to the British diplomats. Israel does not want an "Israel-only" immunity from responsibility, it wants the law to reflect reality. Terrorists and other people who disregard accepted rules of war should be stopped. Politicians who are protecting their people should be allowed to do their job.

There is nothing wrong with a strong, healthy self-love. Call it what you will, it's a desirable trait. But there is a line. You can hear it in the tone. In certain visual cues. In choices that are subtle yet there. It's called disdain, and it is not to be confused with nobleness (not the birthright type, but earned through merit). Which brings me to the real issue. A House of Lords still guiding policy in this day and age. What can one really expect from Britain after all?

Truly, they say the world is not fair. Hamas, who began all the trouble are not threatened with arrest warrant, but the person who fought to defend herself and dealt a blow to the aggressor is being issued an arrest warrant. Israel, your God will fight for you.

Hey Paul H Vh..all the evidence needed is in the Goldstone report. there is no hiding place for war criminals

Seems like there are a lot of Israelis and Israel firsters who are upset that Tzipi Livni would have been subject to an arrest warrant if she had visited the UK last weekend. Why? If she doesn't visit the UK she won't be arrested, a simple solution.

The absurd situation where UK supporters of Hamas, which is a terrorist organization (suicide bombing anyone?), can obtain such fracial warrants in the UK against the people who try to defend against Hamas terror. It would funny if were not it real. The UK should scrap this tool of democracy which is being absued by terrorist organizations who have no respect for democracy and law in the first place.

Abuya, Michael and others suggest issuing an arrest warrant for Tony Blair. I and many other British citizens agree with you - it is a hot topic of debate in the UK right now. I also think it would be a great idea to show Israel's commitment to universal human rights - you arrest our alleged war criminals, and we'll arrest yours... Who knows, maybe the Spanish can arrest Hamas too, and they can all be proved guilty or innocent in a court of law in the Hague. For once in the middle east - everyone's a winner!

The best way to judge what was right in Gaza or elsewhere, is to put oneself in the situation without knowing what side one is on. (Read J. Rawls, "A sense of Justice". Suppose Jews had been the victims instead of the perpetrators in Gaza. How would Jews feel?

really and you are a judge of this ? no country that is under attack for 61 years can be classed as representing normality ! when the hate that permeates every western and muslim country dies down perhaps ajudgement can be made?

Arrest all BRitish leaders and BLair for murdering Serbs, Afghans and Iraqis.

michael complains we asked sweden to control its media when they accused israel of organ harvesting.that is a fib. we did not ask sweden to control its press.we did ask them to influence swedish newspapers not to incite against israel.in our region and with the sensitivities involved best not to make up lies.incitement is not allowed. check your laws against race incitement in the uk. sweden did of course stop its newspapers from carrying the mohammed cartoons.but that is another story.

Please learn that ON ONE is above the International Laws these days. Talking is better than WAR WAR.

I think anybody reading these comments and articles might very rapidly become anti-zionist, but not an anti-semite. Justice, balance and a sense of history are as notably absent from the Israeli perspective as they are from the Israeli government's actions. It's a terrible shame. I think Israel is a very interesting object of study, because it proves once and for all that suffering corrupts, absolute suffering corrupts absolutely. Israel fifty years ago was a place of incredible hope - I still see echos of it, but it's become submerged under what could only be called racism, apartheid morality and fear.

it's unusual but not unheard of, for a foreign country to indict another country's leader(s), the premise being that the foreign country's citizens had been victimised. The U.K. is not alleging that its citizens have been victimised, so they should take their concerns to international organisations which air such grievances (the U.N.) and not presume to criminally charge another nation's leaders.

You politicians may choose to ignore international law , but the consequense is that these same politicians cannot then expect to travel internationally

.....At work ! It is clear reading these TB that Israelis and their supporters have no clue as to the working of a true democracy.

You started a diplomatic war with Israel now you have to dealing with do you remember David and Goliath. Maybe we are a little country but you are showing that your country is still an arrogant colonialist entity and this is clear. Yes we can say that you Iron Lady deserve the same treatment you give to our politician. You are lucky that there are no other country with your legislation otherwise your politician will have very serious issue in travelling around the world.

that an Israeli diplomat is "..warning that ties between the two countries could suffer as a result." As if Israel has leverage over the UK when, in fact, Israel has far more to lose from "suffering relations" between the two countries.

I wonder what "war crimes" Israel committed exactly? And why aren't missile-throwing Palestinians also criticized for committing war crimes? All these experts in international law - I'm so impressed. So what law school did all you geniuses attend?

Like the other potential war criminals who stalk the corridors of power in Israel. More so until Israel carries out a full judicial inquiry into the events highlighted by the Goldstone report. No one should assume that merely because one heads up a state, that one is immune from criminal charges related to Geneva conventions. The only thing that saved Sharon from a lawsuit was the Kahane commission. When is Olmert's and Livni's very own Kahane commission?

"The ministry warned that in indulging the arrest warrant, the British government was hampering its own efforts at playing a role in Middle East peace negotiations." The new antisemitism!

The Israeli government should immediately issue arrest warrants for any and all British police, soldiers, sailors and administrative official that between 1919 and 1948, arbitrarily arrested, tortured, hanged and shot any Jewish resident of the Mandatory period. All British naval personnel that took part in the illegal blockade of the coast and thereby denied entrance of Jewish refugees to their homeland, should also be charged with the violations appropriate under international law. I guess the Irgun and the Lechi didn't hang enough British soldiers or flog enough British policemen/ Perhaps now, we can arrest them.

to a court that has no proper jurisdiction to hear the matter! nor can it hear political diatribe which what these arrest warrants amount to in law ! they are issued without prima facie evidence purely on political complaint

At first this was a complete non-story. An arrest warrant was put out by a court for Livni, but somehow I can't imagine she'd ever actually have been prosecuted and even if she had, she might well have been found innocent. However, the hysterical Brit-bashing that this has caused from Israel's supporters and the ludicrous summoning of Britain's ambassador to Israel, are actually starting to make me feel rather proud of being British. Israel has become so arrogant, paranoid and hysterical that it reacts with all its might miilitary or diplomatic to the merest hint of opposition. Truly pathetic. And, of course, hugely counter-productive. Just as the Swedish government was exasperated with having to explain to Israel's government what a free press is, now Britain's government is going to be exasperated explaining to Israel what a free judiciary is. Doesn't Israel know ANYTHING about how western democracy works? I'm beginning to wonder.

Apologies from an Englishman in London! It seems that the House of Commons can invite serving military wing members from Hezbollah to tea at the palace of Westminster but that democratically elected Israeli leaders are to be hounded by Westminster Magistrates court. Notice the problem has arisen from a Magistrate not a judge. A magistrate is not competent to judge a criminal trial of any significance in the UK, so why should they be able to politically harass foreign countries. This says much more about the state of British society than it does about the Gaza conflict. Britain's problems are only beginning; apparently over 4000 British Muslims are fighting the British army in Afghanistan. This civil-war will soon move to British Streets.

Why should we change the law for Israeli war criminals? The law is not political, and if the court finds an Israeli official guilty without any miscarriage of justice, then that is what they are. It may be awkward for the UK government, but while the politicians can compromise over everything and anything, the law courts stand firm over justice. You must see how a "Exception: if the criminals at hand are Israelis" clause in a war-crimes law would be totally ridiculous. The thing is, what has become acceptable in Israeli media and IDF strategy circles is, by international law, war crimes.

Against the crimes in Iraq and Afganistan. This will be the answer to the british.

I don't know who's in control of local policing, but the IDF obvioulsy operate there, and they have, according to the Jerusalem Post, been told to use all means at their dispoasl to find the culprits. If this was a Pal crime, the IDf would simply have arrested the 20 most likely suspects and interrigated them until they got answers. Why are the IDF not doing that? Is it for the same reason Ashkenazi doesn't want to use the IDf against the settlers, becasue there are loads of settlers in the IDF and he doesn't trust the IDF to obey orders? Is Israel becoming a settler state?

You comment about it being wrong to issue arrest warrants against democratically elected leaders behaving within the law. It should be noted that they are behaving within THEIR law, which may not be the same as the rest of the world's law.

The "legal system" (which is an abstraction in itself) does not simply follow its course governed by legal imperatives, but is influenced by many factors outside that system, such as political biases. Britain has trouble at times understanding its severely reduced place in the world, and that was true even before its current economic disaster, which it brought on itself by hitching its now diminished fortunes to being a center of world finance, so keep that in mind in considering just how little it might matter now whether another nation had ties to Britain or not. During the same period, Israel passed Canada as the country with the most foreign companies on the NASDAQ.

UK is better off without ties to Israel

i don't get it. a warrant for someone's arrest does not equate them to being guilty! is there so little faith i the british legal system that people are worried? i would say that the UK is one of the most democratic and just counties in the world, so why are people worried? if anyone is arrested and tried with very high probability they will be found not guilty if they committed no crime. *sheesh*

the Israeli army wasn't allowed to investigate the incedent since it happened in an area whose security had been given to the PA, only the Palestinian Authority was allowed since they refused entry to Israeli authorities who weren't even able to look at it let a lone analyze it in any way. This also raised doubts as if it were a real a settler attack or another ploy to rile up Palestinians just like the mosque incedent in Jerusalem

We are all livni .Every israeli is Livni and Livni is Israel And israel is livni

It is up to the legal system to enforce the laws of the land not the Government. If there are just legal grounds for issuing an arrest warrant for Livni, then so be it and let the law take its course. If Israel really wants to break of ties with the UK then that is fine too. Israel has far more to lose than the UK for such an action.

The British government views Hamas as a terrorist organization, yet allows Livni to be arrested for defending Israel against Hamas's rockets on civilian targets. It seems to me that Britain is in the middle of an identity crisis. As it lurches towards accomodating oil interests it further deligitamizes its moral codes and sidelines its role on the international stage.

The European court for war crimes is in the Hague. Why have charges not been brought there? Because there is no case and such a request would be rejected. I am British and am shocked that the British Judiciary would allow itself to become a "patsy" for baseless charges. I don't think the British taxpayer wants to pay for this misuse of their legal system. What's next will they arrest Condolleeza Rice for her involment in Iraq and Afganistan? PLONKERS

Would be nice to see Israel issue an arrest warrent to Tony Blair + Gordon Brown for alledged war crimes in their latest mitilary operations. Tit-for-tat seems like a good game for Israel to play instead of just being weak. Livni was correct in Cast Lead!

The UK should suspend ties with Israel. Channel 4 already exposed the Israeli grip on UK politics that caused Britain to invade Iraq and Afghanistan!

atleast it got Livni back in the spotlight didn't it? She's been near invisible recently

No we are not above the law. That is why it is so wrong that these arrest warrants are being issued against democratically elected leaders behaving within the law. It is absurd to compare Iranian state sponsored terrorism which culminated in terrorist attacks on civilians to the Lebanon and the Gaza wars which were both acts of self defence.

A tiny island with absolutely no resources? I think you ignore the LOOONG history of colonialism of the UK. No resources, ha! Nevertheless, I see you have a point...but it is not 350 million arabs that are a more valuable asset in the eyes of the British, it is the oil in their lands. If Israel had the same amount of oil underground, it would be the same 5 or 350 million jews. Sad, but it is all about resources.

If Livni considers herself free from guilt, she should face her accusers, defend herself, and let the court decide that she is not guilty. The louder she protests the action, the more likely she is tainted with guilt.

Israeli foreign ministry: "If Britain does not immediately amend the law allowing arrest warrants to be issued against Israeli officials ..." Wow! So Israel is to be the one country to which the rule of universal jurisdiction does not apply? Remember where these laws came from: a determined campaign over many years, largely led by Jews, to ensure that people like Nazi war criminals could be judged in any country when their own country refused to do so. And now Israel wants to be exempt?

One question that should be asked in the UK is "Who tipped off this alleged war criminal that there was an arrest warrant out for her?" It's against the law to tip off an alleged criminal with an arrest warrant pending, especially if they're out of the country, as they're likely to evade arrest by remaining out of the country.

..the plain fact is that, on this basis, anyone who has had involvement in any kind of conflict anywhere in the world could face a private prosecution in the England (not Scotland or Northern Ireland) from people with a grudge. This could mean the likes of former General Colin Powell being lifted (Iraq); John Major (shoot to kill policies in Northern Ireland); General Sir Michael Jackson (Northern Ireland, Iraq, Bosnia); British officers who served in Cyprus in the 1950s, Aden in the 1960s, Kenya or Malaya in the 1950s (all rather nasty counter-insurgency/counter-terrorist operations). It could apply to anyone who flew in an RAF Bomber over Germany in the Second World War, especially anyone of the thousands who took part in raids over Berlin, Hamburg and Dresden

you have killed far more kids in afghanistan then we have in all our wars put together.

Bush is closely related to every European monarch on and off the throne -- including the King of Albania -- and has kinship with every member of Britain's royal family, the House of Windsor. He is a 13th cousin of Britain's Queen Mother, and of her daughter Queen Elizabeth and is a 13th cousin once removed of the heir to the throne, Prince Charles. Bush's family tree can be documented as far back as the early 15th century. He has a direct descent from Henry III and from Henry VIII's sister Mary Tudor, who was also the wife of Louis XI of France. He is also descended from Charles II of England.

I am a palestinian and I live in London. I'm very ashamed... Does anyone know how many terrorists can freely travel to London? I don't know why the british government is so one sided, is it afraid of a coup d'état? I'm not saying that I like Tzipi, I don't. But this has gone too far...

The absurd situation is that there is an arch denier and a racist as the Foreign Minister of Israel. Just as absurd is that its OK for his predecessor to announce a year ago that "there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza" but then insist that the IDF destroy Hamas - with the outcome that the already existent humanitarian crisis that Tzippi Livni denied would be worsened. Its all very well jumping up and down about how this one and that one should also be accused and tried, but Israel and its leaders and its army pretend that whatever they do is inviolate and unchallengable. This level of unaccountability is the real absurdity. If we are not ready to be accountable to others at least we should be to ourselves.

should they be guilty of crimes against humanity after all the senseless massacres they made?

what's more, mark, you need to learn the difference between politics and diplomacy. the purpose of diplomacy is to avoid war. when all diplomacy fails, the result is war. your support of terrorists is not diplomacy, nor even politics. hamas is a terror group whose purpose is to annihilate the jewish state. the so-called "graduation ceremony" was that of hamas interior ministry recruits. hamas, as a totalitarian de facto state, does not have civilians in their police force. they are all members of the qassam brigades and the executive force. of course, you have every right to support hamas terrorists as long as you do not hide your intent. it is odd, though, that while there are american troops fighting and dying in afghanistan against islamic terrorists, you come to haaretz to support islamic terrorists who want to destroy israel. you sure are a strange kind of american.

Can US Jews sue the Iranian government in absentia in the US courts to seize frozen assets (Including Iranian antiquity on loan to US colleges) because they were injured in bombings in Israel but Palestinians cant attempt to seek justice in other countries for wrongs done to them in their own country? Are you people insane? Regardless of what you were told in a fairy tale book you are not above the law.

It's a sign of governmental weakness when a country allows its courts to set its foreign policy. The UK needs to decide which branch of its government sets foreign policy. Otherwise, different groups from all over the world will be doing the same thing the Pals are doing in British courts.

What is all the fuss about? If the lady has done nothing wrong, she has nothing to worry over.

Hey Britt, so how many innocent argentinians did you kill on that ship in the Malvinas? And how many innocent iraqies are you killing in Iraq this minute? And what about giving freedom to northern Ireland? Different stories? Well ,why not become a good example for yourselves, arrest Mrs Thatscher, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown imeadetely....they are allready in Britain, then we can disscuss further actions!

As did Winston Churchill (South Africa, Sudan, Iraq in WW1), John Major, Maggie Thatcher.., Pick up an atlas and choose any continent to read about British atrocities. The most disgusting hypocrisy, aside from the fact that the British created the demographic time bomb in Israel for it's own selfish gains back in Mandate days in a vain attempt to avoid it's obligations under that mandate and leave this place, is that they are still a bad stain in dozens of countries around the world. Those not still colonies are economic vassals who do not control the resources under their own feet, under threat of gunboat diplomacy. There is only one clear thing to do with such a hypocritical and war mongering thieving nation: boycott all British products and services and arrest all British officials on sight. The ongoing atrocities of the British must be stopped, including their irrational and insane notion that they have the right to judge anyone else

it can be activated elswhere against british war criminals in iraq and afghanistan !

Just as war is politics using other means, so is diplomacy and law. I'm sure the politicians factored all that in when they spent a year planning the war and got all the legal advice that bombing graduation ceremonies and jails and schools and water systems was perfectly peachy. They even planned and executed a fake cease fire as maskirova for the sack.

because otherwise ties with a country with half the population of London will suffer!!!!

Geez, Israel will bring down the British Empire/Commonwealth if it doesn't change its laws to suit the Israeli Foreign Ministry. If Livni is proud of her role, let her defend it in court or let he argue that she is immune. She can invite that West bank Rabbi to testify that killing all the kids in Gaza was justified. They might have grown up to oppose Likud or want freedom or to eat or have clean water.

I see from the Jerusalem Post that 15 wanted Palestinians were arrested in the West Bank last night. But no arrests on the mosque-burning front. The world's watching and still waiting to see if Israel is prepared to control its settlers. No sign of it so far.

"it is wrong to call the continual diplomatic and legal terror against israel a "comedy of errors. indeed, those who engage in this diplomatic and legal terror are deadely serious. the arrest warrant issued against tzipi livni is part of this ungoing terror." Wow CPK, you'd have Guantanamo bursting. That's a definition of terrorism so wide it's hard to see the edges. Do you support waterboarding lawyers? Human rights activists? Judge Goldstone? People who don't buy enough hummus from West Bank settlements? People who don't vote for Israel in Eurovision?