It is really annoying that someone tipped off the Israelis, thus avoiding
a hugely embarrassing diplomatic row between Blair and Sharon.
The PCHR went to court on Saturday, 10th September and were issued an
arrest warrant by Chief London Magistrate Timothy Workman on suspicion of
committing a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention 1949 which is a
criminal offence in the UK under the Geneva Conventions Act 1957.
Acting for victims in Gaza, the Gaza-based PCHR, which is headed by
lawyer Raji Sourani, built a file of evidence with the help of Hickman &
Rose Solicitors to pursue a case against the Israeli general (and others)
in the UK in accordance with the legal principle of universal jurisdiction
over war crimes.
The warrant issued is in relation to the wanton destruction of 59 houses
in Rafah refugee camp on 10th January 2002.
The PCHR and other human rights organisations in Palestine have also
accused the former general of a set of grave breaches, including the:
KILLING of Noha Shukri al Makadma, who was nine months into her pregnancy
at the time of her death on 3rd March 2003
MURDER of Mohammad Abed al Rahman al Madhoun on 30th December 2001
MASS SLAUGHTER committed on 22nd July 2002, when a one ton bomb was dropped on Gaza City killing 15 people and injuring over 150 others.
Almog is a 54 year old Israeli national who was GOC Southern Commander of
the Israeli military from 8th December 2000 to 7th July 2003. Under his
command the Israeli military were responsible for a countless variety of
extensive human rights violations inside the Gaza.
The Muslim Association of Britain believes that an investigation into the
leak over the warrant arrest is of great urgency. Since the General knew of
the warrant arrest only upon, or just before, arrival raises the suspicion
that the leak was been made to Israeli embassy officials.
A MAB statement condemned the whistle blower saying: As a matter of
principle no such leakage should ever be tolerated; if proved, it is
nothing but a sign of serious breach.
Filing similar suits against Israeli generals and politicians in countries
signatories of the Statue of Rome is possible.
http://www.preventgenocide.org/law/i.../languages.htm
All these countries, like the UK, adopted a law in their penal code
enabling a charge being placed against war crimes committed also in other
countries and by foreign citizens.
Last month Hickman and Rose learned of Almog's planned visit to Britain,
and it submitted to Judge Workman information about the Israeli's alleged
involvement in various crimes.
As representatives of the families of the victims, Hickman and Rose
decided to arrange for Almog to be arrested. The firm worked closely over
the past months with the Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza, which
documents Israeli operations there.
One of the partners in the firm is Daniel Machover, who has dual British
and Israeli citizenship. Machover said that his clients and his firm "were
deeply sorry that Almog slipped away from the British justice system, but
the fact that he feels that he cannot stand up to it, is at least
significant in showing that there is no immunity for war criminals in
Britain."
Three years ago the Israeli embassy in Britain spirited Shaul Mofaz out
of the country to evade an arrest warrant for war crimes, which was issued
at the instigation of a Muslim organization. Israel later managed to
terminate the legal process against Mofaz, who visited the U.K. as defense
minister.
Well let this be a lesson to all those war criminals who are or have
served in the Israeli Army You can run but you can not hide.
This event should serve as a reminder to Bush and Blair that what
happened to Almog could easily happen to the twins of evil sometime in the
future. Now what would I give to personally serve the writs for that trial..
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