UK to grant free pass to Israeli war criminals

The Guardian reports that the UK is to curb the ability of private citizens or groups to bring prosecutions against war crimes suspects. This appears to follow Israeli pressure over the attempted prosecution of Israeli General Almog. General Almog escaped war crimes charges when he was advised to stay on his plane and return quickly to Israel when he came to the UK last year.

Under international law, Britain has a duty to arrest and prosecute alleged war crimes suspects if they arrive on its territory, even though the alleged offences occurred overseas.

Gen Almog is alleged to have ordered the destruction of 59 Palestinian civilian homes in revenge for the death of Israeli soldiers, in breach of the Geneva conventions.

Since last September, Israeli officials have met twice with Home Office officials and Foreign Office representatives regarding the attempted arrest. The government has denied claims that US officials want the British law changed, fearing their officials could be arrested for alleged human rights abuses.

Gen Almog said he was tipped off by the Israeli military attache in London, who boarded his plane at Heathrow. Police rejected demands to investigate who tipped off the general, saying in a letter seen by the Guardian from Peter Clarke, the national anti-terrorism coordinator, that they lacked the resources to do so.

There are many disturbing aspects to this case. The short term one is why there is no investigation into who tipped off the Israeli embassy about the warrant. The long term on is the fact the the UK government is allowing Israel to undermine our own legal structure and our commitments under international law.