DPP blocks bid to arrest Tzipi Livni for war crimes
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An attempt to arrest the Israeli opposition leader Tzipi Livni for alleged war crimes was blocked by the Director of Public Prosecutions in the first test of a law limiting citizens' rights to seek the arrest of foreign politicians in the UK.
Ms Livni, who was Foreign Minister during Israel's three-week assault on the Gaza Strip in December 2008, is the first senior Israeli figure to visit Britain since the Government changed a war crimes law which had kept her and other Israeli officials away for fear of arrest. She was invited to London by the Foreign Secretary, William Hague.
On Tuesday, an unidentified person applied to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, for permission to seek a court arrest warrant against Ms Livni for alleged war crimes linked to the 2008 Gaza offensive, the Crown Prosecution Service said. But the DPP ruled that she was on a "special mission", which courts have said gives immunity from prosecution, and the application was therefore turned down.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments