London, Jan 29, IRNA – The number of MPs opposing the British government to restrict the arrest of Israeli leaders for alleged war crimes has risen to more than 100.
The British government has pledged to alter the law after apologising to Israel last month when a warrant was issued for the arrest of former foreign minister Tzipi Livni over her role in the latest Gaza massacres, forcing her to cancel a visit to the UK.
The Jewish Chronicle Friday expressed frustration at the delay that has caused a diplomatic dispute and prevented other Israeli leaders, including military commanders involved in the latest massacre of over 1,400 Palestinians in Gaza, from coming to the UK.
So far, 101 MPs have signed an Early Day Motion to parliament, warning that they would vote against any legislation to limit the power of courts to issue warrants for human rights abusers under the principle of universal jurisdiction.
Universal jurisdiction, which allows arrests wherever crimes are committed, is an “essential as part of the cause of bringing to justice those who commit crimes against humanity,” the motion warns, according to a copy seen by IRNA.
A separate resolution, supported by 19 MPs, further warns that any proposed changes to UK legislation “would compromise the UK’s obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention to seek out and prosecute persons suspected of war crimes.”
The Jewish Chronicle blamed Justice Secretary Jack Straw for “blocking” the change, while also saying that Prime Minister Gordon Brown was doing nothing about it.
The Justice Secretary is “pulling every trick in the book” to frustrate Foreign Secretary David Miliband in meeting his pledge, the weekly said.
The problem for the government is that it has a working majority of only 63 MPs and would need the support of opposition Conservatives to force legislative changes through the House of Commons.
The Conservatives appear willing to support the government in appeasing Israel, with Shadow Middle East minster David Lidington saying it was “absolutely crazy” that ministers “seem to be incapable of acting.”
“It is very clear to me that this issue is doing serious damage to relations with Israel. This needs to be resolved. If we hope to play a part in the Middle East peace process senior Israelis need to know they can travel freely in the UK,” Lidington said.