Israeli war criminals on the run.

Former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Lieutenant General Moshe Ya'alon left New Zealand in a hurry this week, after a warrant was issued for his arrest for suspected war crimes.

The New Zealand Justice Ministry issued the warrant on Tuesday, several days after a request by a New Zealand resident that was co-signed by various local and international human rights organizations.

The warrant names Ya'alon for ordering an Israel Air Force attack on the home of senior Hamas official Salah Shehada in the Gaza Strip in 2002. Shahada, the founder of Hamas' military wing, and one of his aides were killed in the attack along with 13 civilians.


General Doron Almog was told by John Scarlett (through Yaki Dagan Israeli chief spy, London ) not get off the plane he was sitting in on September 10, 2005, as he arrived in London.

Almog learned that a warrant had been issued (by Chief London Magistrate Timothy Workman) for his arrest for violating the Geneva Conventions in connection with the home destructions in Gaza.

Officials at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem said they had received confirmation from the embassy in New Zealand regarding the charges. Ya'alon was not available for comment.

Wellington suspended ties with Israel in the wake of the affair, but restored relations after Jerusalem offered a formal apology

In 2002 Shaul Mofaz, now the Israeli defense minister but then recently retired as the IDF’s chief of staff, reportedly left Britain hurriedly after an attempt to have him arrested on similar charges.