By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East
LONDON, United Kingdom – On February 19, the BBC reported that British police feared an armed confrontation if they tried to arrest an Israeli general accused of war crimes in 2005. BBC report cited documents prepared for the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), a police watchdog, which investigated the failure to arrest Israeli Major General (retired) Doron Almog. In September 2005, Almog remained on an El Al plane at Heathrow airport when he was tipped off that British police were waiting to arrest him. The El Al plane later returned to Israel, with the general on board.
According to the BBC report, the police were concerned that if they stormed the plane, it would lead to an armed confrontation with El Al’s air marshals or the general’s security guards. In the police log, Detective Superintendent John MacBrayne, who was in charge of the operation, commented that he was concerned whether the police had a legal right to board the plane after El Al refused entry.
The plan was to intercept Almog at the immigration desk, where he would be escorted to the Heathrow police station. However, the plan was leaked to the Israeli Embassy and Almog was warned of the arrest.
Daniel Machover, of the British solicitors Hickman and Rose, which represents the alleged victims, said “We are astonished that the legal position wasn’t clear in the minds of the officers at the airport.” Hickman and Rose also criticized the police for not keeping the arrest warrant secret. They filed the complaint that led to the IPCC investigation into the failed arrest.
The IPCC completed its investigation in summer 2006 and stated that it found no evidence that the police were guilty of “improperly disclosing information.” The IPCC also stated that they were satisfied that there was no breach of the police code of conduct by not boarding the plane to execute the warrant.
The arrest warrant was issued in relation to a complaint filed by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. The human rights group filed a complaint against Almog under Britain’s Universal Jurisdiction Legislation, a law that allows Britain to charge foreign nationals with war crimes, even if British citizens were not involved. The group claims that the Israeli Defense Force, commanded by Almog, destroyed 59 houses in the Rafah refugee camp in Gaza in 2002, in retaliation for attacks against Israel. The arrest warrant has since been dropped for procedural reasons.
The attempt to arrest Almog resulted in outrage and concern among Israeli officials. In December 2007, former Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief, Avi Dichter, turned down an invitation to visit Britain out of concern that he could be arrested for his role in the 2002 assassination of a senior Hamas militant in Gaza.
For more information, please see:
Ha’aretz – Report: UK Police did not Arrest IDF General Fearing Shootout – 20 February 2008
The Times (London) – Israeli General Escaped Arrest at Heathrow “Because Police Feared Gunfight” – 20 February 2008
BBC – Police Feared “Airport Stand-off” – 19 February 2008
Guardian – UK Feared Clash with Israeli General – 19 February 2008
Independent – Why Israeli General Avoided Heathrow Arrest – 19 February 2008
Jerusalem Post – British Police Halted Almog Arrest – 19 February 2008
Telegraph – “Stand-off fears” Stopped Israeli General’s Arrest – 19 February 2008
