Israel’s deputy PM calls off visit to Britain fearing arrest

Israel’s deputy PM calls off visit to Britain fearing arrest

 

RAMALLAH — Dan Meridor, the deputy premier of Israel, has cancelled a scheduled visit to Britain this week after the British justice ministry warned him that he could be arrested on arrival.

Hebrew media reported on Tuesday that the ministry told him pro-Palestinian organizations might file lawsuits against him demanding his detention for his role in the Freedom Flotilla massacre committed by Israeli navy forces late last May.

The sources said that Meridor was due to speak at a fund-raising dinner organized by the Britain Israel Communications & Research Centre, which is an "independent" British organization dedicated to "creating a more supportive environment for Israel in Britain."

Israeli press expected foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman would raise the issue during the visit of British foreign minister William Hague to Israel on Tuesday. Lieberman would ask for accelerating endorsement of legislation preventing the arrest of senior Israeli officials over lawsuits filed by local political activists.