Binyamin Netanyahu visits UK as protesters demand his arrest

[Alially]

Israel’s prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, is flying into the UK for a highly charged visit, demanding that Europe treat Israel as a partner in the fight against the “medievalism” of militant Islam, rather than criticise it over its policies towards Palestinians.

Netanyahu’s spoke to reporters as he prepared to fly to London, while protesters demonstrated outside Downing Street against his visit and a petition for his arrest for alleged war crimes from last summer’s conflict in Gaza swelled beyond 100,000 signatures.

Speaking after meeting the European council president, Donald Tusk, Netanyahu said Europe “should support Israel – not pressure Israel, not attack Israel but support Israel, which is the only real shield that Europe and the Middle East have against extremist Islam, which is surging”.

[Alially]

The British government has made clear that as a visiting head of state, Netanyahu has immunity from arrest and prosecution. On the issue of Gaza, it added in a statement: “We recognise that the conflict in Gaza last year took a terrible toll. However, the prime minister was clear on the UK’s recognition of Israel’s right to take proportionate action to defend itself, within the boundaries of international humanitarian law.”

One protester outside Downing Street, 21-year-old student Marion Tehami, said: “We’re here because we feel that Netanyahu should pay for his war crimes. We’re here to protest and let him know that he’s not welcome in our country.”

A short distance away, in a separate cordoned off area, about 50 pro-Israel demonstrators waved the Israeli flag.

[King Niko]

He deserves to be imprisoned... he is a threat to this planet and the humans survival.