Did Starmer block Tsipi Livni’s arrest for war crimes?
JVL Introduction
What was Keir Starmer’s role in 2011 when, as Director for Public Prosecutions, he was asked to issue and arrest warrant for former Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni, who was visiting London, over alleged war crimes during Operation Cast Lead (December 2008-January 2009)? The law allowed this but two days after the request he blocked the application as the British government had decided to attribute “special mission” status to her visit. The same status was granted on March 6th 2024 for Israeli war minister Benny Gantz so that he could meet with foreign secretary David Cameron.
We may never know the extent of Starmer’s role as the Freedom of Information produced remarkably little information. We surely have a right to know, especially now as we are witnessing an attack on Gaza that almost makes Operation Cast Lead seem a minor attack. Will anyone be held accountable for the war crimes being perpetuated now? Will there be any restrictions on travel for the likes of Netanyhahu, Smotrich and Ben Gvir? Past experience does not indicate that there will be justice when the bombing finally ends. If, as seems likely, Labour leads the next UK government, it is important to know what Starmer’s role was then, given the depth of Labour support for Israel’s brutal war on Gaza, which is only now beginning to wane – a little.
LL
This article was originally published by Declassified on Mon 25 Mar 2024. Read the original here.
Censored: Keir Starmer's Emails About Israeli War Crimes Case
The Crown Prosecution Service is refusing to release files on how Starmer blocked the arrest of former Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni over alleged war crimes during the brutal bombing of Gaza in 2008.
- The coalition government changed UK law in 2011 to enable Israeli ministers accused of crimes to visit Britain without fear of prosecution.
- Declassified asks the CPS to conduct an internal review into its decision to censor the Starmer emails.
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Starmer took an active interest as Director for Public Prosecution in the case of Tzipi Livni long enough for the Foreign Office to grant her visit ‘special mission’ status.
But he failed to take an active interest in the case of Jimmy Saville as he was not the ‘lead’ lawyer allowing this man to continue to molest young people.
This revelation is truly shocking.