Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated that it “views the request by British Metropolitan Police to interview MK Livni during her visit to the UK with great concern. We would have expected different behavior from a close ally such as the UK.”
Member of Knesset (MK) Tzipi Livni, was summoned last Thursday by the Scotland Yard when she arrived in London for questioning over alleged war crimes committed during Operation Cast Lead which was carried out against Hamas’ terror infrastructure in Gaza seven years ago. Livni served as Israel’s foreign minister at the time.
Livni arrived in the United Kingdom London for the Ha’aretz conference, and the summons by the British police was reportedly voluntary.
Frantic diplomatic activity erupted following the summons, which was cancelled following intervention over the weekend by Israel’s embassy in London and senior officials in the Foreign Affairs and Justice Ministries.
Livni was granted diplomatic immunity and received protection from any probes in the UK during this trip.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated that it “views the request by British Metropolitan Police to interview MK Livni during her visit to the UK with great concern. We would have expected different behavior from a close ally such as the UK.”
Speaking at the conference, Livni slammed the British police for their attempts to probe her actions as a minister.
“The fact that Israeli decision-makers and army commanders are forced to participate in a ‘theater of the absurd’ when we come to London is something that is not acceptable,” she said, the Times of Israel reported. “It’s not a personal issue. It’s a moral issue and this is something that needs to be changed.”
She added that she was “proud of the decisions [she] made as a cabinet minister in the Israeli government.”
Pro-Palestinian organizations have filed a series of complaints against senior Israeli officials in several countries in recent years in an attempt to hound them and generate international embarrassment for the Israeli leaders.
Livni has avoided several previous attempts to arrest or probe her actions.
The British law was revised a year ago to prevent the issuing of arrest warrants against senior Israeli officials and IDF officers who are visiting in the country.
By: Max Gelber, United with Israel
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!
See our Privacy Policy