UK attorney general considering war crimes charges against Israeli soldiers News
UK attorney general considering war crimes charges against Israeli soldiers

[JURIST] UK Attorney General Lord Peter Goldsmith [official profile] is to meet with senior Israeli officials Thursday to discuss whether Israeli soldiers should be charged with war crimes for shooting two Britons in 2003. The families of James Miller, an award-winning cameraman, and Tom Hurndall, a peace activist, have asked Goldsmith to prosecute the Israeli soldiers under the Geneva Conventions [ICRC materials]. A British inquest jury last month found Miller's shooting unlawful [BBC report], and an Israeli soldier is already serving an 8-year manslaughter sentence for Hurndall's death [JURIST report].

During his previously scheduled visit to Israel, Goldsmith is planning to meet with his Israeli counterpart, Meni Mazuz [Israeli MFA profile], as well as Defense Minister Amir Peretz [MFA profile; BBC profile], Justice Minister Haim Ramon [MFA profile] and possibly Brigadier Gen. Avichai Mendelblit, the military advocate general. Israeli military prosecutors have refused to pursue further prosecutions without new evidence. The Times of London has more. The Evening News has additional coverage.