On the 10 and 11 September, president of Israel Isaac Herzog is expected to visit the UK to meet with UK ministers. The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) has now written to Scotland Yard demanding that it investigate the Israeli president upon his arrival in the UK. ICJP urges it to do so on suspicion of Herzog bearing criminal liability for alleged war crimes.

Isaac Herzog visit to the UK: investigate the Israeli president for war crimes

ICJP sent the correspondence to SO15, Scotland Yard’s War Crimes Unit. Isaac Herzog is suspected of bearing criminal liability for alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture, and actions that constitute plausible genocide contrary to the Criminal Justice Act, the Geneva Conventions Act 1957, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) Act 2001.

As a result, ICJP is calling for his investigation and interview. The group notes that diplomatic immunity would not preclude SO15 from interviewing him and otherwise investigating him. This would be in compliance with the UK’s international and domestic obligations.

The ICC has already issued arrest warrants for two senior members of the Israeli government, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ex-Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has heard evidence of dehumanising statements made by senior Israeli officials. Crucially, this included a statement by Herzog on the 12 October 2023, asserting:

It is an entire nation out there that is responsible. It is not true this rhetoric about civilians not aware, not involved…

There should be ‘no safe haven for suspected war criminals’

ICJP has previously provided the Metropolitan Police with two criminal complaints. These rely on extensive evidence which demonstrates Israel’s commission of international crimes. They include the crime of starvation as a method of warfare and indiscriminate targeting of civilians and civilian objects, specifically protected medical staff. All of these are crimes that fall within the remit of UK legislation and jurisdiction.

This is therefore an opportunity for the UK government to pivot from arresting those who speak out against genocide to holding accountable those responsible for genocide, as required under UK and international law. From weapons exports to spy plane flights to trade, and diplomatic support, the UK government has failed at every step to live up to its legal obligations under international and domestic law to act to prevent the horrifying atrocities in Gaza.

ICJP’s senior public affairs and communications officer Jonathan Purcell said of Isaac Herzog:

This action represents a significant escalation in the global legal effort to hold senior Israeli officials accountable for war crimes and grave breaches of international law.

The rule of law applies to all, regardless of office or nationality. If political leaders refuse to subject themselves to the legal process, it is their own soldiers who will be left exposed facing justice alone, without immunity or protection. There will be no safe haven for suspected war criminals. International law demands accountability, and we are determined to deliver it.

Featured image via the Canary