THE TELEGRAPH: A Conservative party pledge to end the threat of arrest hanging over visiting Israeli officials has received short shrift from the senior politician whose arrest was sought by a London court in December.
Tzipi Livni, leader of the Israeli opposition, responded with notable coolness when she was paid a visit by Edward Garnier, the shadow attorney general, this week.
Mr Garnier relayed a promise from David Cameron, the Conservative leader, that legislation to guarantee immunity for visiting Israeli officials would be one of his government's top priorities following a general election expected in May.
"I've been asked officially to relay to you on behalf of the Conservatives that immediately after we are elected, we will handle this matter, end this affair and make it possible for you to go to Great Britain," Mr Garnier told Mrs Livni, according to Israel's Yediot Ahronot newspaper.
A Westminster magistrate's court last December granted an application by pro-Palestinian groups to issue an arrest warrant for Mrs Livni over war crimes allegedly committed during Israel's Gaza offensive a year ago when she visited. At the time of Israel's military operation, Mrs Livni was foreign minister.
But if Mr Garnier expected gratitude from the Israeli opposition leader, he was to come away disappointed. >>> Adrian Blomfield in Jerusalem | Friday, February 19, 2010
