A group of Israeli military officers have delayed an official visit to Britain over fears they could be arrested on war crimes charges.
Danny Ayalon, Israel's deputy foreign minister, said on Tuesday that four officers invited to the UK by the British army would not be travelling "as we do not have a 100 per cent guarantee that they will not become objects of criminal lawsuits".
The officers, who hold ranks from major to colonel, are the latest in a string of Israeli politicians and military officials to call off travel to Britain due to fears over possible legal action.
Last month, Tzipi Livni, the leader of Israel's opposition Kadima party and foreign minister during last year's Gaza war, cancelled her UK trip after an arrest warrant was issued by a British court.
The warrant was issued under the concept of universal jurisdiction, which empowers judges to issue warrants for a visitor accused of committing war crimes anywhere in the world.
'Duty to prosecute'
Pro-Palestinian activists have sought to use the concept to press charges against Israelis involved in military operations in the Palestinian territories, particularly since Israel's offensive on Gaza last year, which killed about 1,500 Palestinians.
Gordon Brown, the British prime minister, has voiced determination to change the law, which has strained relations with Israel.
Ayalon, who discussed the matter with Britain's attorney general on Tuesday, said such warrants "would impede normal bilateral ties".
"This legislation is often misused," he said.
"It initially targeted Nazi criminals, but terrorist organizations like Hamas are today using it to take democracies hostage.
"We have to put an end to this absurdity, which is harming the excellent bilateral relations between Israel and Britain."
But pro-Palestinian groups have condemned moves to change the law, saying Britain has a duty to prosecute those accused of war crimes.
"There's no reason why Israel should be singled out for special treatment. If they're accused of war crimes, we have a duty - and legislation - to prosecute," Inayat Bunglawala, spokesman for the Muslim Council of Britain, told The Associated Press news agency.
The threat of arrest has also forced several former security officials to call off trips to London, including a former general who remained holed up on an airplane at Heathrow Airport in order to avoid arrest.
Last year, Ehud Barak, Israel's defense minister, fended off an arrest attempt by successfully arguing he had diplomatic immunity.
PHOTO CAPTION
Smoke rises following explosions caused by Israeli military operations in Gaza City, on Jan. 13, 2009.
Al-Jazeera