The British government has rejected attempts by NGOs to arrest Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar during his visit to London.
Anti-Israel group the Hind Rajab Foundation, founded by former Hezbollah fighter Dyab Abou Jahjah – who once blamed the JC for him being banned from entering the UK – submitted the application to the Attorney General and Director of Public Prosecutions in collaboration with legal campaigners the Global Legal Action Network.
A statement by the Hind Rajab Foundation claimed: “Sa’ar is deeply implicated in the collective decisions that led to mass civilian death and suffering following October 7, 2023. His central role in shaping and defending the government’s military policy makes him a key figure in the leadership responsible for a campaign the International Court of Justice has found plausibly genocidal.”
The British government has long rejected the description of Israel’s campaign against Gaza as a “genocide” but has said that it has concerns over potential violations of international law.
A spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office told the JC: “The Law Officers have declined to provide consent to the prosecution of Gideon Sa’ar”.
They added: “International law requires that immunity is accorded to serving ministers for foreign affairs in domestic criminal proceedings irrespective of the subject matter, or gravity, of any complaint.”
On Tuesday, Sa’ar met with his British counterpart David Lammy. The pair discussed a variety of issues including Iran’s nuclear programme, the release of hostages held by Hamas, the conflict in Gaza and the promotion of bilateral ties between the UK and Israel.
And today, Sa’ar met with Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg.
In an apparent dig at the 36 Deputies who wrote a letter to the Financial Times to criticise Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza, Rosenberg posted an image of the pair on X, adding: “The Board of Deputies is clear: Jewish leadership is standing up for peace & security in Israel & the Middle East: Getting hostages out, defeating Hamas, pursuing lasting peace & security. Unity is strength. Division serves only our enemies.”
The JC has previously reported that the Hind Rajab Foundation has been behind the attempted prosecution of Israelis who have served in the IDF while outside of Israel.
In January, a survivor of the Nova Festival who served as an IDF reservist was forced to leave Brazil as a result of a complaint filed by the organisation.
