LONDON (PIC)– The British government has granted temporary diplomatic immunity to Israeli justice minister Tzipi Livni few days before her visit to the UK to protect her against arrest and potential prosecution for breaches of international law including war crimes Israeli media sources said.
“Since the visit meets all the essential elements for a special mission and for avoidance of any doubt on the matter the British Foreign Office has confirmed consent to the visit as a special mission” the media sources quoted the British Foreign Office as declaring.
The British decision came following a warrant for Livni’s arrest submitted by lawyers acting on behalf of a relative of a Palestinian killed in the bombing of a police compound on the first day of Israel’s military assault on Gaza which began in December 2008.
For her part director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign Sarah Colborne expressed her disappointment at the British government’s decision for giving a safe haven to suspected war criminals.
On the 66th anniversary of Palestinian Nakba (catastrophe) Palestine Solidarity Campaign declared its intention to organize a demonstration on Thursday protesting Livni’s visit to the UK for her involvement in war crimes during Israeli aggression on Gaza in 2008 during which 1417 Palestinians were killed including 313 children while 5303 Palestinians were injured.
Livni had cancelled in 2009 a visit to London after an arrest warrant was issued by Westminster court. However; the British government has later changed the law to require prior approval from the Department of Public Prosecutions before an arrest warrant in connection with international war crimes could be issued.
During her visit Livni is expected to meet with a number of British Ministers and to give a speech at the headquarters of the Jewish National Fund.
