UK considers curbing citizens' right to arrest alleged war criminals

The government is considering weakening laws designed to capture alleged war criminals and torturers who enter Britain, after pressure from the Israeli government, the Guardian has learned.

The changes would bar individuals from seeking international warrants for the arrest of people suspected of serious human rights abuses. The government has confirmed that Israeli officials have lobbied for changes in the law, which has kept some of their military officials away from Britain in case there should be an attempt to arrest them.

The proposals follow Israeli anger after an attempt was made to arrest one of their senior retired generals, Doron Almog, at Heathrow last September. He was tipped off that police were waiting to arrest him for alleged war crimes in Gaza. He stayed on the El Al plane and flew back to Israel. The warrant was issued by Bow Street magistrates, central London, after an application from lawyers representing Palestinians who say they suffered because of the Israeli general's alleged illegal orders.

Best comment:

Mayor of old London Town, Ken Livingston, made the point that some British folk can go and join the IDF, promptly go about mass-murdering people then come back to Blighty and no-one bats an eyelid - yet, try doing the same thing if it's seen as not on behalf of Western interests ie 'islamic suicide bombeing' etc - a different kettle of bananas all together

Guardian