Arrest warrant sought for Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on visit to UK
An arrest warrant is being urgently sought in Britain for Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who secretly met British Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Tuesday.
Middle East Eye revealed on Tuesday afternoon that Saar was visiting the UK on a private trip this week, and then reported on Tuesday evening that he had met British Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London.
The secretive nature of Lammy's meeting with a representative of a government accused of widescale human rights abuses has drawn heavy criticism from opposition MPs and politicians in Britain.
Now, MEE understands that the UK-based Global Legal Action Network (Glan) and the Hind Rajab Foundation have formally submitted a request to the UK's attorney general and director of public prosecutions.
They are seeking consent from the senior British legal officers to apply for an arrest warrant targeting the Israeli foreign minister.
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They allege that Saar, a key member of the Israeli cabinet, has aided and abetted torture and grave breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza.
MEE has contacted the British attorney general's office for comment on the case.
Dyab Abou Jahjah, the founder and chair of the Hind Rajab Foundation, said: "Gideon Saar cannot walk freely in London while Palestinian civilians lie buried under rubble.
"His role in the starvation, displacement, and killing of innocent people in Gaza demands accountability. No official title can excuse these atrocities."
Saar accused of responsibility in Gaza atrocities
The submission for an arrest warrant argues that Saar is criminally responsible for the Israeli military's attack on the Kamal Adwan hospital late last year.
He is also implicated in the detention and torture of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, the hospital's director, who was taken captive during the raid.
The Israeli foreign ministry posted content in support of the hospital's siege.
Saar recently attempted to justify Israel's decision to cut off aid to Gaza, saying, without evidence, that humanitarian assistance fuels Hamas.
"Aid that goes to Hamas is not humanitarian," Saar said on 4 March, portraying the blockade as legitimate despite it being considered an act of collective punishment under international law.
'Gideon Saar cannot walk freely in London while Palestinian civilians lie buried under rubble'
- Dyab Abou Jahjah, chair of Hind Rajab Foundation
Gearoid O Cuinn, Glan's director, said: "Mr Gideon Saar is directly linked to mass death, destruction and suffering in Palestine; we have submitted extensive evidence detailing his role in and awareness of this.
"UK officials are failing to abide by the law by offering handshakes instead of handcuffs – this is why we have asked the courts to urgently step in."
MEE understands that the human rights groups have also filed a complaint with the London Metropolitan Police.
Dr Azra Zyada, a medical doctor who helped the groups gather evidence from Gaza, said: "This is an opportunity to show that the rule of law matters. It's an opportunity to put a stake in the sand; as citizens and as people of conscience, and show that this country believes in the moral values it has signed up for."
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