S Africa groups seek Livni arrest

A South African Jewish group has filed charges against Kadima chairwoman Tzipi Livni for involvement in the Gaza war two years ago, in an attempt to have her arrested upon her soon expected visit to South Africa.

South Africa reserves the right to prosecute foreign war criminals, a French radio quoted this group as saying on Saturday. The complainants have prepared a 3,000-page report documenting Israeli violations and submitted it to the local public prosecutor.

“Livni’s upcoming visit is considered a provocation. She is wanted for murder in many nations,” France 24 quoted the Jews of South Africa organization as saying.

An arrest warrant was issued against Livni earlier in December, 2009 in the UK for war crimes she committed as the then Israeli foreign minister. But diplomatic tensions between London and Tel Aviv triggered the UK to push for an amendment in the country’s law regarding arrests against foreign war criminals.