Israel condemns UK arrest warrant

Paris, 15 Dec-(ANA)-Israel has condemned as "cynical" the issuing of a war crimes arrest warrant in the United Kingdom for former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

The warrant, issued by a London Court was revoked when it was found Ms Livni was not visiting the the UK.

Ms Livni was a key decision-maker in Israel's assault on Gaza last winter.

It is the first time a UK court has issued a warrant for an Israeli minister or former minister.

Pro-Palestinian campaigners have tried several times to have Israeli officials arrested under the principle of universal jurisdiction.

This allows domestic courts in countries around the world to try war crimes suspects, even if the crime took place outside the country and the suspect is not a citizen.

Israel denies claims by human rights groups and the UN investigator Richard Goldstone that its forces committed war crimes during the operation, which it said was aimed at ending Palestinian rocket fire at its southern towns.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas has also been accused of committing war crimes during the conflict. (ANA)

FA/ANA/15 December 2009----