| Livni summoned by UK police over war crimes allegations |
Summons for questioning to former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, on a visit to London, is canceled after diplomatic consultations between Israeli and British officials • Foreign Ministry: We expect different behavior from a close ally like Britain.
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Zionist Union MK and former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni
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Photo credit: Gideon Markowicz
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Zionist Union MK and former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, currently visiting London, received a summons from British police last Thursday in connection with war crimes allegations made against her by pro-Palestinian activists.
The summons for questioning was subsequently canceled after diplomatic consultations between Israeli and British officials.
Livni flew to London without coordinating diplomatic immunity for herself. Pro-Palestinian activists have been pursuing legal action against Livni over her role as foreign minister during Operation Cast Lead in December 2008 to January 2009.
According to an Israeli diplomatic official, Livni traveled to the United Kingdom without diplomatic immunity to test how British authorities would act.
Even though the matter ended up being resolved, Israel views the issuing of the summons gravely.
„We expect different behavior from a close ally like Britain,” a Foreign Ministry statement said.
An Israeli diplomatic official expressed hope that the Livni episode would accelerate British legislative initiatives to prevent legal harassment of visiting Israeli officials.
