Calls for War Crimes Probe as Herzog Visits UK
LONDON (Dispatches) -- Palestine campaigners have called for a police investigation into Israeli president Isaac Herzog during his upcoming visit to the UK, citing his alleged responsibility for war crimes committed in Gaza.
The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) has urged the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command (SO15) to hold Herzog accountable for serious violations including war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture, and potential acts of genocide.
ICJP emphasized that diplomatic immunity should not shield Herzog from investigation under UK and international law.
Jonathan Purcell, the ICJP’s senior public affairs officer, stressed that no political leader is above the law, and failure to face justice only leaves ordinary soldiers exposed.
The call for accountability reflects a broader global effort to ensure senior Israeli officials are held responsible for grave breaches of international law.
Herzog’s visit is particularly controversial given the ongoing devastating Israeli military campaign in Gaza, widely condemned for its disproportionate use of force and systematic targeting of civilians.
Despite not being directly wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Herzog has publicly supported these atrocities. This rhetoric has been condemned as dangerously inflammatory and genocidal in tone, contributing to the dehumanization of Palestinians.
His visit follows a pattern of high-level Zionist officials making secretive trips to the UK while serious allegations of war crimes persist.
In recent months, Israeli military chief Herzi Halevi, foreign minister Gideon Saar, and Israeli air force head Major-General Tomer Bar have all met with British officials under conditions that raise questions about the UK government’s willingness to confront these abuses.
Meanwhile, Palestinian voices continue to be suppressed, as seen in the detention and deportation of British MPs Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang, highlighting the broader injustice and double standards surrounding Israel’s conduct and international response.
Herzog’s UK visit underscores the urgent need for consistent accountability and a genuine commitment to justice for the Palestinian people.