“British Arrest Law to Remain Unchanged”

Almanar

15/02/2010 British newspaper, The Times, reported Monday on a disagreement in Britain regarding the promise given to Tel Aviv that the principle universal jurisdiction, which allows courts to issue arrest warrants against anyone suspected of war crimes, be changed.

Such a warrant was issued two months ago against Israeli Opposition Chairwoman Tzipi Livni, predicating the cancellation of her trip to Britain and a placed a wedge in the relations between Israel and Britain.

According to the report, the controversy surrounding changing the law has its roots in the upcoming elections in Britain this May. Justice Secretary Jack Straw warned behind closed doors against making any hasty changes to such a fundamental issue.

According to the paper, Straw believes that it ought to be explored by a body such as the Justice Select Committee, thus delaying any new law until after the elections.

Another factor standing in the path of a law change is that some 119 British members of Parliament, most of them from the Labor Party, signed a motion against changing any laws in the three months remaining until elections.

According to the report, despite Foreign Minister David Miliband's urging to take care of the issue now, Westminster apparently has no intention of delving into the issue. As such, Britain is now concerned that already strained relations with Israel could sour further, especially if the issue falls victim of parliamentary negotiations between the parties at elections, causing further embarrassment to the British government.

In a conversation with the newspaper, MK Livni said she would be willing to travel to Britain to "take the bullet" if embarrassing the British system were the only way to affect change in the system. "Britain has obligated itself to me personally that this subject will be taken care of and fixed,” she said. “Now is the time.”

Israeli government confirmed late last year that Livni canceled a planned London trip after her office received news of a secretly issued arrest warrant awaiting her arrival.

Yigal Palmor, the Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman, said: “If Israeli dignitaries cannot travel unhindered to Britain, then they will not travel. Automatically the political dialogue between the two countries will be reduced. This is not something that London or (occupied) Jerusalem wants.”

Last month, Attorney-General Baroness Scotland of Asthal Patricia Scotland visited Tel Aviv to reassure political and military leaders concerned about visiting the kingdom that the government was taking the issue seriously. Scotland said that Britain believes the policy must be changed urgently.

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