Ramallah: Israeli officials have resorted to using legal loopholes to avoid being arrested for war crimes during visits abroad. In 2009, a British court issued an arrest warrant for then foreign minister Tzipi Livni over alleged war crimes committed by Israeli military forces during its brutal assault on Gaza in 2008-2009.
Since Britain’s changed its law in 2011 granting automatic immunity to Israeli officials and citizens on visit, the Israeli regime has used the immuity to protect even retired and non-official politicians and former military figures during visits.
Livni did not set foot in the UK until June 2015. There have been renewed attempts to have her arrested, but British courts have since rejected requests for a fresh arrest warrant.
Also former Israeli military chief Shaul Mofaz was granted immunity a week after Livni’s visit, having been granted the same special mission status. During Mofaz’ visit, the Israeli foreign ministry said that any attempt to arrest him must pass through the UK Attorney General’s office and all necessary measures would be taken to protect Mofaz.
To guarantee diplomatic immunity, Israelis must arrange official visits through their foreign ministry, thus changing the status of their trips.
