Topic: UK citizens please sign petition to have Benjamin Netanyahu arrested for war crimes (Read 1532 times)

109,000 now & on International news

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/08/us-britain-israel-idUSKCN0R821Q20150908

109,000 now & on International news

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/08/us-britain-israel-idUSKCN0R821Q20150908

Under UK and international law, visiting heads of foreign governments, such as Prime Minister Netanyahu, have immunity from legal process, and cannot be arrested or detained.

The British Government has invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as head of the Israeli Government, to visit the UK in September. Under UK and international law, certain holders of high-ranking office in a State, including Heads of State, Heads of Government and Ministers for Foreign Affairs are entitled to immunity, which includes inviolability and complete immunity from criminal jurisdiction.

We recognise that the conflict in Gaza last year took a terrible toll. As the Prime Minister said, we were all deeply saddened by the violence and the UK has been at the forefront of international reconstruction efforts. However the Prime Minister was clear on the UK’s recognition of Israel’s right to take proportionate action to defend itself, within the boundaries of international humanitarian law. We condemn the terrorist tactics of Hamas who fired rockets on Israel, built extensive tunnels to kidnap and murder, and repeatedly refused to accept ceasefires. Israel, like any state, has the right to ensure its own security, as its citizens also have the right to live without fear of attack.

The UK consistently urged Israel to do everything possible to avoid civilian casualties, to exercise restraint, and to help find ways to bring the situation to an end. The UK continues to urge the parties to give priority to reaching a durable solution for Gaza which addresses the underlying drivers of conflict, and to take the necessary practical steps to ensure Gaza’s reconstruction and economic recovery.

We welcome the fact that Israel is conducting internal investigations into specific incidents during Operation Protective Edge. Where there is evidence of wrongdoing those responsible must be held accountable whatever their position in society. Both parties must also demonstrate robust and credible internal investigations which are in line with international standards. We have also encouraged the Israeli authorities, as we do all countries, to cooperate with the independent Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the preliminary examination into the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 13 June, 2014, whilst noting that Israel is not a State Party to the ICC.

The UK is a close friend of Israel and we enjoy an excellent bilateral relationship, built on decades of cooperation between our two countries across a range of fields. Our priority for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains the achievement of a two-state solution, based on 1967 borders. We continue to believe that negotiations will be necessary in order to achieve this, and that both parties need to focus on steps that are conducive to peace. The UK Government will reinforce this message to Mr Netanyahu during his visit.

Benjamin Netanyahu is the only reason why middle east is not fully collapsed.

Please sign if you havent, at 90,000 now, hopefully this will at least get some publicity for the issue and cause some embarrassment.  Of course he wont be arrested, millions marched against going into Iraq and the government ignored it but we are still opening peoples minds to an alternative and moving in the right direction.

Israelis and Americans are immune from war crime prosecutions. So even if they get one million signatures, it is not going to make any difference. Did any one dared to prosecute Harry S. Truman for killing 300,000 in Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Did anyone tried to prosecute Hillary Clinton for masterminding the NATO bombings of Serbian orphanages and kindergartens in 1999? Same with Netanyahu as well.

At 100,000 signatures, this petition will be considered for debate in Parliament

Yes, nothing will happen probably. Even if there are 100k signatures. Don't think that is the main point though. The idea behind the petition is to raise awareness of what happened last year. And it will also help raise awareness of how the Palestinians are treated. Maybe even bring more attention to the boycott movement against Israel too.

It's great that so many people have signed the petition but been as the UK is a safe haven for war criminals, Bibi will probably be welcomed with open arms. In fact the only politician likely to say anything against Netanyahu's visit would be Corbyn at a guess, I can't imagine Dodgy Dave debating anything meaningful...

Its over 50,000 signatures now, at over 100,000 they have to debate it in parliament !!!!!!!!!

Israelis and Americans are immune from war crime prosecutions. So even if they get one million signatures, it is not going to make any difference. Did any one dared to prosecute Harry S. Truman for killing 300,000 in Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Did anyone tried to prosecute Hillary Clinton for masterminding the NATO bombings of Serbian orphanages and kindergartens in 1999? Same with Netanyahu as well.