Barak (L) and Ben-Eliezer
Photo: Niv Calderon
Minister Ben-Eliezer slams 'legal circus' in Spain, UK
Following war crimes motion against Barak, fellow Labor member says, 'It's inconceivable that Hamas-backed courts might actually have Israeli officials arrested'
In response to a petition filed in the UK by a Palestinian attorney against Defense Minister Ehud Barak, demanding he be arrested for war crimes over the IDF offensive in Gaza, Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer criticized Britain and Spain for allowing legal action against senior Israeli officials and army officers.
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"I'm deeply concerned over the legal circus in Spain and the UK. It's inconceivable that Hamas-backed courts might actually have Israeli officials arrested for alleged ethical transgressions," the minister told an Israel Export Institute Conference on Tuesday.
"Who knows, tomorrow morning an Israeli battalion commander may be arrested abroad for participating in an IDF operation," he said.
Ben-Eliezer said Israel must not accept the current situation, which according to him has "crossed our limit of tolerance."
The minister called for the establishment of a governmental legal committee to deal with the new threat.
"These officers were sent on behalf of the State of Israel to fight a just war against terror, and we must stand by their side," Ben-Eliezer told the conference.
