Tensions have escalated between the United Kingdom and Israel following the initiation of a war crimes investigation by the British police force, Scotland Yard, regarding the Israeli offensive in Gaza, as reported by Yedioth Ahronoth.
The Metropolitan Police of London opened an inquiry into war crimes perpetrated during the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip that began on October 7th, leading to the martyrdom of more than 23,000 Palestinians and injuring over 59,000.
According to the newspaper, London police have issued an appeal to witnesses passing through UK airports to report war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza. This has caused diplomatic tensions between Israel and Britain, prompting Tel Aviv to lodge a protest and express its discontent with the developments.
More than 23,000 martyrs since the beginning of the Israeli war on Gaza (Al Jazeera)
Notices at Airports
The British police have displayed notices in English, Hebrew, and Arabic at airports throughout the UK. These notices inform travelers, "If you have been in Israel or the Palestinian territories and have witnessed or been a victim of terrorism or war crimes or crimes against humanity, you can report this to the British police."
The notices also state, "The police in the UK support the work of the International Criminal Court, which has been investigating war crimes in Israel and Palestine since June 2014, and any evidence collected may be shared with the ICC to assist their investigations."
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the investigation launched by the London police, telling the Daily Telegraph, "I am concerned about the worrying politicization of the Metropolitan Police, especially after seeing their officers tearing down posters depicting Israeli abductees in Gaza."
The newspaper also mentioned that the investigation is raising serious concerns among British Jews and threatens to cause a political rift with Israel.
Support for the International Criminal Court
Scotland Yard, the headquarters of London's Metropolitan Police Service, stated that the British police should support the International Criminal Court. With an increasing number of British nationals returning to the UK since the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the police anticipate a higher number of potential witnesses and victims of war crimes from the region.
Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Israel has protested to the British authorities concerning the investigation.
The Israeli embassy in London informed British authorities that there is no basis, justification, or authority for conducting an investigation against Israel at the International Criminal Court.
The International Court of Justice is convening in The Hague today, Thursday, for its inaugural sessions to consider a South African request to try Israel for committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel agreed to appear before the court to refute what it described as "ridiculous accusations that lack any tangible or legal basis."
However, the Israeli press has expressed genuine concern within Israeli security and legal institutions that the International Court of Justice might level charges of genocide against Israel.
Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli military has been waging a devastating war on Gaza, which has left 23,357 martyrs and 59,410 injured, primarily children and women, as of last Wednesday. The conflict has also caused tremendous destruction to the infrastructure and an unprecedented humanitarian disaster, according to Gaza authorities and the United Nations.
