London – Britain shares Israel’s concerns over a law which allows its courts to prosecute Israeli officials on its soil for alleged war crimes, the Foreign Office said on Wednesday.

Its statement came after Israel postponed all strategic dialogue with Britain soon after Foreign Secretary William Hague arrived for a two-day visit.

The controversial law gives courts in Britain "universal jurisdiction" to issue warrants against those accused of war crimes and has prompted a number of Israeli politicians to cancel planned visits to Britain.

In the statement, Britain again stressed its pledge to address the situation "in the very near future".

"We share Israeli concerns about the current universal jurisdiction arrangements which inhibit Israelis visiting the UK without fear of mischievous arrest warrants," a Foreign Office spokesperson said.

"That’s exactly why the government is moving as quickly as possible to amend them."

The spokesperson added: "We are discussing dates for the next round of the strategic dialogue with Israel.

"In this context, Israel has made clear its concerns about the current universal jurisdiction arrangements which inhibit Israelis visiting the UK without fear of mischievous arrest warrants. We share these."

http://www.news24.com/World/News/Law-threatening-Israeli-officials-to-be-changed-20101103