Ayalon. Visit to continue
Photo: Reuters
Deputy FM doesn’t fear UK arrest threats
(Video) Israeli Embassy in London receives warning on request to issue arrest warrant against Ayalon, but decides his visit will continue as planned with tightened security measures
VIDEO - Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon has decided to continue his visit to London despite a warning that an arrest warrant may be issued against him, Ynet learned Tuesday evening.
The Israeli Embassy in the British capital received a warning on Monday that a request had been filed to issue an arrest warrant against the Israeli official. The embassy informed the deputy foreign minister, who is in Britain on a visit as part of Israel's public relations efforts.
Following an evaluation of the situation, the embassy decided the Ayalon would continue his visit as planned.
State officials in Jerusalem were also informed about the warning, including a special team tasked with dealing with such situations, following a similar incident involving Defense Minister Ehud Barak during his visit to London several weeks ago.
Following the warning and additional information received by Israeli officials, it was decided to tighten the security surrounding the deputy minister, but that his visit would go on as planned.
On Tuesday, Ayalon gave a lecture to British students at the London School of Economics, where he was met with protests by pro-Palestinian students chanting, "Free Palestine."
Ayalon also met with British government officials and protested the phenomenon of issuing arrest warrants against Israeli officials with or without a military background.
