by David Harris
JERUSALEM, July 29 (Xinhua) -- The past week has perhaps left the Israeli government somewhat confused as to the nature of its relationship with the new British government of Prime Minister David Cameron.
There was a collective sigh of relief in Israel when British cabinet agreed last Thursday to legislate an amendment to the country's universal jurisdiction law. That move was the start of a process that should prevent Israeli leaders from facing arrest in Britain for alleged perpetration of war crimes.
However, in the interim Cameron surprised Israel by launching strong attacks on the Jewish state during his visit to Turkey, an event that in part overshadowed the next leg of his overseas travels -- to India.
FROM ELATION TO CONCERN
As it stands, the British statute books allow for attempts to prosecute Israelis for their alleged crimes against Palestinians. On more than one occasion in recent years, Israeli leaders have been forced to cancel trips to the country because the threat of arrest hung over their heads.
Those who did land on British soil narrowly avoided capture.
In October, Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak spoke at the Labor Party's annual conference alongside then British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. On the same day, Palestinians unsuccessfully attempted to have him arrested.
Four years earlier, Doron Almog, a senior Israeli general, was advised not to disembark from his plane at Heathrow because he would face arrest.
As a result of these and other cases, one involving Tzipi Livni, who was Israel's foreign minister at the time, Israel has been pressuring London to make the change.
The Labor government said it would do what it could but then lost the general election. However, Cameron picked up the mantle and promised to introduce the reform.
"At the moment anyone can apply to the courts for an arrest warrant. That is a right that the Government wants to protect," read a statement from Britain's Justice Ministry.
