Israeli Colonel Leaves Speaking Tour in UK for Fear of Arrest For War-Crimes
Jerusalem Post | 03.02.2009 22:53 | Palestine | London | World
On Thursday night, after news of his visit reached pro-Palestinian groups, some 80 protesters demonstrated outside the offices of the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) in central London, where Rapp was scheduled to speak.
An Israeli colonel involved in Operation Cast Lead returned to Israel in haste on Friday, fearing arrest on charges of war crimes during a visit to the UK.
Col. (res.) Geva Rapp had arrived in London three days before for appearances in which he was to explain Israel's position and refute media representations of the hostilities.
His trip had been cleared by Israeli security services.
On Thursday night, after news of his visit reached pro-Palestinian groups, some 80 protesters demonstrated outside the offices of the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) in central London, where Rapp was scheduled to speak.
Calling for police to arrest him, the protesters blocked public pathways, while one scaled the building's walls. Police made several arrests.
The event was cancelled and the decision was made for Rapp to return to Israel out of fear of a universal jurisdiction arrest warrant for alleged war crimes.
A loophole (sic) in British law allows private criminal complaints of war crimes to be lodged against military personnel, even if they are not British citizens and the alleged crimes were committed elsewhere. Pro-Palestinian groups in Britain and other countries have been trying to exploit the loophole against IDF officers and Israeli leaders.
Israel is working with the British government to change the law.
Before leaving Britain, Rapp addressed students at the Hasmonean and Jewish Free (JFS) high schools in London. He also spoke at events organized by the Jewish Agency and Aish UK.
Col. (res.) Geva Rapp had arrived in London three days before for appearances in which he was to explain Israel's position and refute media representations of the hostilities.
His trip had been cleared by Israeli security services.
On Thursday night, after news of his visit reached pro-Palestinian groups, some 80 protesters demonstrated outside the offices of the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) in central London, where Rapp was scheduled to speak.
Calling for police to arrest him, the protesters blocked public pathways, while one scaled the building's walls. Police made several arrests.
The event was cancelled and the decision was made for Rapp to return to Israel out of fear of a universal jurisdiction arrest warrant for alleged war crimes.
A loophole (sic) in British law allows private criminal complaints of war crimes to be lodged against military personnel, even if they are not British citizens and the alleged crimes were committed elsewhere. Pro-Palestinian groups in Britain and other countries have been trying to exploit the loophole against IDF officers and Israeli leaders.
Israel is working with the British government to change the law.
Before leaving Britain, Rapp addressed students at the Hasmonean and Jewish Free (JFS) high schools in London. He also spoke at events organized by the Jewish Agency and Aish UK.
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typical of the UK goverment
03.02.2009 23:35
Quelle surprise!
Krop
Request for source please
04.02.2009 09:33
Regards
IMCista
Loophole
04.02.2009 09:38
Also, very interesting that the British Government is no working with the Isrealis to close this "loophole".
Jim
A global phenomenon
04.02.2009 14:02
bud
Miguel Moratinos is an Israeli mole
04.02.2009 14:55
After the second intifada and Arafat's death he he condemed the intifada in a J-Post article (2005) that further reportss:
"In Israel Thursday, Moratinos also promised to support Israel's quest to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Foreign Ministry said. He also said he would support Israel's entry into the 2005 Mediterranean Games. Israel has routinely been denied entry into the athletic competition that takes place every four years, said a source in the ministry.
Ninety percent of the meeting between Shalom and Moratinos focused on relations between the two countries. Moratinos spoke of the possibility of posting a military attache to the Spanish Embassy to coordinate military and security matters between the two countries, a ministry source said. In the past, he said, Spain looked north when it feared terrorist attacks, now it is also looking to the east following the terrorist attack on three train stations in March 2004. As a result his country is interested in upgrading its military relationship with Israel, with a focus on counterterrorist activity, said a source in the Foreign Ministry.
Shalom said that in the old days terrorism was Israel's problem and today it's everyone's problem."
GET RID of this guy, he is not representing the interests of the EU nor of international law! He is an Israeli apologist and military lobbyist... a bad combination if there ever was one.
ninetto