Once again, so-called human rights organizations in Europe are working to have arrest warrants issued against Israeli ministers and officials pertaining to the 2002 targeted assassination of Hamas Izzadin el-Kassam commander Salah Shehadah in Gaza. In the IDF operation, collateral damage was significant, with reports stating 15 civilians lost their lives in the air-to-surface missile attack, including 11 children.

A Spanish human rights organization has turned to a court in Madrid, seeking the arrest warrants against former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, former Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, former ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) Director Avi Dichter, former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya’alon, former Israel Air Force Commander Dan Halutz, and former IDF Major-Generals Doron Almog and Giora Eiland.

Foreign Ministry officials are reportedly working with Spanish governmental officials to squash the effort, along with simultaneous efforts from other agencies including the Shin Bet and Justice Ministry. Foreign Minister/Premier-designate Tzipi Livni is reportedly involved, urging Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos to act to avoid a strain in relations between Jerusalem and Madrid.

With Spain being a member of the International Court in The Hague, it has the authority to issue such a warrant for a “war crime” that was not committed on Spanish soil.

Should the warrants be issued, the persons mentioned could be placed under arrest if they step foot on Spanish soil.

In the past, pending warrants have impacted former IDF Chief Ya’alon and then Major-General Doron Almog, who was stopped from getting off a plane in the UK, avoiding arrest for so-called war crimes pertaining to his tenure as IDF Southern District Commander, overseeing operations in Gaza.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)