London, MINA – Pro-Palestinian organizations in the UK have called for protests and legal action against Israeli President Isaac Herzog ahead of his controversial visit to the country this week.
Herzog is scheduled to meet with British ministers during his three-day visit, which comes just weeks before the UK government is expected to formally recognize the State of Palestine, The New Arab reported.
The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) has urged British police to investigate Herzog for alleged war crimes upon his arrival on Tuesday (Sept. 9).
Although Israel’s presidency is largely a ceremonial role, human rights groups argue Herzog’s public remarks on the Gaza war merit legal scrutiny.
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The ICJP—comprising UK-based lawyers, politicians, and human rights advocates—has written to Scotland Yard’s War Crimes Unit, pressing them to question Herzog over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The group said the Israeli leader could face liability for alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture, and actions that may constitute genocide.
“This marks a significant escalation in global legal efforts to hold senior Israeli officials accountable for war crimes and grave violations of international law,” said Jonathan Purcell, ICJP’s Senior Public Affairs and Communications Officer.
Herzog was cited by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in South Africa’s 2024 genocide case for using “inhumane language” to describe Palestinians in Gaza. Just days after the October 7, 2023 attacks, Herzog stated:
“It’s an entire nation out there that is responsible. This rhetoric about civilians not aware, not involved, is absolutely not true.”
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South Africa argued such remarks, along with statements by other Israeli officials, signaled intent to commit genocide.
Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Herzog’s visit has also drawn criticism within Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s own Labour Party. Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell said he was “shocked” the government allowed the trip.
“The prime minister has shown complete insensitivity to the suffering of the Palestinian people and to the overwhelming disgust felt by the British public at the brutality of the government Herzog represents,” McDonnell said.
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Neither the UK government nor Israel has confirmed which cabinet ministers will meet Herzog during his stay.
The visit comes less than three weeks before the UN General Assembly, where the UK is expected to be among a handful of Western nations recognizing the State of Palestine.[]
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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