UK Attorney General & Foreign Secretary shield Israeli Foreign Minister from arrest during London visit

Gideon Saar met with David Lammy on April 15th 2025 (Image: NQ)

On Tuesday (April 15th, 2025), Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s Foreign Minister, made an unannounced trip to the UK, where he met with his UK counterpart, David Lammy. After receiving tip-offs about his visit, GLAN (Global Legal Action Network), ICJP (International Centre of Justice for Palestinians) and the Hind Rajab Foundation, sought the urgent consent of the Attorney General, as required by UK law, to have Sa’ar arrested for responsibility for both war crimes and torture in Gaza.

Yesterday, the Attorney General refused our request on the purported basis that Sa’ar has immunity. The Times of Israel reported that David Lammy personally communicated this decision to Mr Sa’ar. Evidence seen by GLAN indicated that Mr Sa’ar made plans to prematurely leave the UK before he was made aware of the AG’s decision. This is also confirmed by the Middle East Eye (MEE) which said : "Three sources familiar with events told MEE that Saar decided to leave Britain early after his visit was made public, though changed his mind after Lammy conveyed the attorney general's decision to him."This was an active intervention by UK authorities to protect a suspected war criminal in the midst of the ongoing extermination in Gaza.

We reject the AG’s position that Mr Sa’ar has immunity, having submitted to him with our request for consent that, under UK law, immunity  applies to heads of state (and not foreign ministers). Further, the International Court of Justice is clear that immunity is distinct from impunity. Immunity only protects Sa’ar for as long as he remains in high office. On foot of evidence we submitted to the War Crimes Unit of the London Metropolitan Police they should open an investigation into his liability regardless of the refusal by the Attorney General.

Gideon Sa’ar is a senior member of Israel’s security cabinet and alongside Benjamin Netanyahu — wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza—has played a central role in the decisions that have led to the mass killing of Palestinians and extreme suffering more generally. Today, Sa’ar continues to advocate for the halting of all humanitarian aid to Gaza where civilians are now enduring full-scale famine conditions.

This was an opportunity for the UK government to pivot from arresting those who speak out against genocide to holding accountable those responsible for genocide, as required under UK and international law. From weapons exports to spy plane fights to trade and diplomatic support, the UK government has failed at every step to live up to its legal obligations under international and domestic law to act to prevent the horrifying atrocities in Gaza.

We are now considering further legal action with a view to preventing similar accountability failures from occurring in the future.

Gearóid Ó Cuinn, Director of the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) said:

“In the midst of Israel inflicting a brutal famine & atrocities on Palestinians the UK officials had an opportunity to deliver a modicum of accountability. Instead, they shielded a member of Israel's notorious security cabinet met, Gideon Sa’ar, a man who advocates for the halting of humanitarian aid to a starving people and the erasure of Palestine. Other countries need to demonstrate their commitment to the rule of law and ensure his arrest.”

Tayab Ali, Director of the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) said:

“This action, brought in a new coalition between the Global Legal Action Network, the Hind Rajab Foundation and the ICJP represents a significant escalation in the global legal effort to hold senior Israeli officials accountable for war crimes and grave breaches of international law.

The rule of law applies to all, regardless of office or nationality. If political leaders refuse to subject themselves to the legal process, it is their own soldiers who will be left exposed facing justice alone, without immunity or protection. There will be no safe haven for suspected war criminals. International law demands accountability, and we are determined to deliver it.”

Notes to editors

We also approached to the DPP for permission to seek a judicial arrest warrant at Westminster Magistrates’ Court however this avenue was scuppered by the AG’s decision.

For operational security, ICJP could not previously confirm or comment on their role in the joint application for an arrest warrant against Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.