Dear Community Member 

Yesterday was a day of mixed emotions.  We were disappointed that the visit of Tzipi Livni was postponed due to the strike in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but we were delighted with the announcement yesterday evening by Hawks’ spokesperson McIntosh Polela, “After much deliberation, the office of General Anwar Dramat has decided to turn down the request by the two organisations. There are insufficient grounds for us to obtain a warrant of arrest against the former Israeli foreign minister. We have concluded that it would be highly irresponsible for us to obtain a warrant of arrest without following the letter of the law". 

In our press statement (20/01/11) we said the following:

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) welcomes the decision by the Hawks to turn down the request for the issue of a warrant of arrest for Tzipi Livni, as a victory for rule of law over political intimidation.  

 Ms Livni, the chief negotiator in the peace talks until 2009, is deeply committed to finding solutions to the Middle East.  Attempting to stifle her is tantamount to fighting against peace.   We look forward to hosting Ms Livni in the not too distant future.

The decision by the Hawks is  very important  and has international significance  in terms of the messages it sends pertaining to the abuse of law to deligitimise the State of Israel.  We are heartened that South Africa’s highest investigative body has taken this stance.

Please see below our press statement issued yesterday morning announcing the postponement of the visit. 

Regards  

Wendy Kahn

National Director