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Israel halts 'dialogue' with UK over war crimes law Israel halts 'dialogue' with UK over war crimes law
(40 minutes later)
Israel is postponing "strategic dialogue" with Britain over defence and security issues, an Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman said.Israel is postponing "strategic dialogue" with Britain over defence and security issues, an Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
The move is a protest over attempts to use British law to prosecute visiting Israeli officials for alleged war crimes, the spokesman added.The move is a protest over attempts to use British law to prosecute visiting Israeli officials for alleged war crimes, the spokesman added.
The news comes on the first day of an official visit to Israel by the UK's Foreign Secretary William Hague.The news comes on the first day of an official visit to Israel by the UK's Foreign Secretary William Hague.
He will also be visiting the occupied territories.He will also be visiting the occupied territories.
An arrest warrant was issued through UK courts for Israeli former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in December last year. The warrant was granted by a London court at the request of Palestinian plaintiffs, provoking Israeli anger.An arrest warrant was issued through UK courts for Israeli former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in December last year. The warrant was granted by a London court at the request of Palestinian plaintiffs, provoking Israeli anger.
It was revoked when it was found Ms Livni was not visiting the UK.It was revoked when it was found Ms Livni was not visiting the UK.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman denied that the latest development was a deliberate "ambush" to humiliate Mr Hague.The Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman denied that the latest development was a deliberate "ambush" to humiliate Mr Hague.
The timing of this announcement will have raised eyebrows on the British side, because the UK feels it is working hard to meet Israeli concerns over this issue.The timing of this announcement will have raised eyebrows on the British side, because the UK feels it is working hard to meet Israeli concerns over this issue.
Western diplomats are often frustrated by the way the Israeli foreign ministry works - it has a record of making statements which embarrass and frustrate Israel's allies and friends.Western diplomats are often frustrated by the way the Israeli foreign ministry works - it has a record of making statements which embarrass and frustrate Israel's allies and friends.
But diplomats say what is said and done by the Israeli Foreign Ministry is often at odds with the Israeli prime minister's position.But diplomats say what is said and done by the Israeli Foreign Ministry is often at odds with the Israeli prime minister's position.
That reflects one of the anomalies of the very fragile coalition government in Israel.That reflects one of the anomalies of the very fragile coalition government in Israel.
Earlier this week it was reported that Israel's Intelligence Minister, Dan Meridor, cancelled a trip to Britain amid concerns that he risked being arrested on war crimes charges.Earlier this week it was reported that Israel's Intelligence Minister, Dan Meridor, cancelled a trip to Britain amid concerns that he risked being arrested on war crimes charges.
Israel has expressed anger that, in the past, ministers and senior military figures have had to cancel visits to the UK because of concerns that pro-Palestinian groups might use the courts to seek their arrest over Israeli military action in Gaza, or this year's raid on a Gaza-bound aid ship in which nine Turkish activists were killed.Israel has expressed anger that, in the past, ministers and senior military figures have had to cancel visits to the UK because of concerns that pro-Palestinian groups might use the courts to seek their arrest over Israeli military action in Gaza, or this year's raid on a Gaza-bound aid ship in which nine Turkish activists were killed.
Pro-Palestinian campaigners have tried several times to have Israeli officials arrested under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which holds that some alleged crimes are so grave that they can be tried anywhere, regardless of where the offences were committed.Pro-Palestinian campaigners have tried several times to have Israeli officials arrested under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which holds that some alleged crimes are so grave that they can be tried anywhere, regardless of where the offences were committed.
The BBC's Wyre Davies said the news that Israel was postponing an annual round of strategic talks with Britain was potentially embarrassing, even though the Conservatives have already promised to amend those laws which could expose visiting Israeli politicians to arrest.The BBC's Wyre Davies said the news that Israel was postponing an annual round of strategic talks with Britain was potentially embarrassing, even though the Conservatives have already promised to amend those laws which could expose visiting Israeli politicians to arrest.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the issue would be at the top of the agenda during Mr Hague's visit.The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the issue would be at the top of the agenda during Mr Hague's visit.
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