Middle East | 15.12.2009

Israel slams British arrest warrant for Tzipi Livni

Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Livni has defended Israel's actions during the Gaza war

Israel has slammed an arrest warrant issued by a British court against former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. The now opposition leader is under fire for her role in the offensive in the Gaza Strip one year ago.

The Israeli foreign ministry said Britain issued the arrest warrant against former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni but did not provide further details. A statement released by the foreign ministry urged Britain to change the law to prevent such action from being taken in the future.

The details of the warrant are currently unclear. British daily The Guardian reports that the warrant was issued on the weekend for Livni's role in the war in the Gaza Strip almost a year ago.

The warrant has now been withdrawn after it emerged that Livni had cancelled a planned visit to Britain. It is not clear if the cancellation was linked to the warrant or if the decision not to travel had been taken earlier.

Several Israeli officials have previously called off trips to Britain as a result of efforts by Palestinians to prosecute Israelis in British courts.

In September, pro-Palestinian activists tried to have Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak arrested for his role in the Gaza conflict but the attempt was rejected on the grounds of diplomatic immunity. Livni would not have enjoyed this immunity as she is no longer a government minister.

ca/AFP/AP/dpa/Reuters

Editor: Chuck Penfold from dw