IDF Spokesperson: I Traveled To UK Under A False Name

IDF Spokesperson tells Defense News magazine he assumed false name to avoid arrest for 'war crimes'. Benayahu: Anti-Israel activists exploite universal jurisdiction to wage law fare against us

In an interview with the British magazine Defense News, IDF Spokesperson Avi Benayahu revealed he had recently flown to Britain using a pseudonym so as to avoid getting arrested and investigated for war crimes

When asked about the fact that IDF officers are threatened with mass protests and arrest warrants even in friendly countries like Britain, Benayahu replied: "It's true. In my last visit to London, I had to assume a false name because well-funded anti-Israel activists are exploiting universal jurisdiction powers to wage law fare against us."

"It's absurd," he added, "and I understand the government is trying to legislate changes to prevent this. The British and other European governments are just as concerned as we are about terror, and leaders are realizing that whoever feeds the snake of radical Islam will ultimately get bitten."

Benayahu is not the only Israeli official that fears to visit Britain. Over a year ago an arrest warrant was issued by a British court against Opposition leader Tzipi Livni for her alleged involvement in war crimes committed during Operation Cast Lead while serving as Israel's foreign minister. The warrant was later cancelled when it turned out Livni was not even in Britain at the time.

An arrest warrant was also issued by the UK against former IDF Southern Command Chief Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog for war crimes. The British judge said the warrant was annulled in light of the fact that Almog had left the country and is therefore “no longer under the court’s jurisdiction.”