Israeli foreign minister 'flees UK' as arrest warrant sought for Gaza war crimes

Lawyers in London have submitted a request for an arrest warrant for Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, who is visiting the UK for meetings with officials.

The Global Legal Action Network (Glan) and the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) submitted the request to Westminster Magistrate Court on Wednesday, detailing Sa'ar's links to serious violations in Gaza.

On Tuesday, local and Israeli media reported that Sa'ar had met secretly with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, citing unnamed sources. The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UKFCDO) later confirmed that Lammy and Sa'ar had met during a "private visit" to discuss Gaza and other Middle East issues, The Guardian reported.

On Thursday morning, GLAN said on X that it had received reports that Sa'ar had cut his UK trip short due to the legal proceedings against him.

"URGENT: We are told that Gideon Sa'ar is now cutting short his visit & fleeing the UK. He is a suspect in a live investigation of serious crimes. If seen contact the London Met Police immediately. Please do not approach the suspect as he is likely accompanied by armed security," the post read.

The New Arab could not confirm the report but Scotland's The National reported that Sa'ar was due to stay in the UK until Saturday.

The filing against Sa'ar highlights Israel's siege of the Kamal Adwan Hospital between October and December 2024, which saw attacks on medical staff and patients, and the abduction of hospital director Dr Hussam Abu Safiya.

Saar, who was appointed foreign minister in November 2024, oversaw the ministry as its social media pages posted content supporting and justifying the hospital siege.

As minister, Saar pushed the Israeli government line that aid to Gaza is destined for Hamas, and has spoken in support of the ongoing block on humanitarian aid.

“As a senior member of Israel’s security cabinet alongside Benjamin Netanyahu – wanted by the international criminal court for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza – Gideon Sa’ar is deeply implicated in the collective decisions that led to mass civilian death and suffering following October 7, 2023," a joint statement from Glan and the HRF said.

"His central role in shaping and defending the government’s military policy makes him a key figure in the leadership responsible for a campaign the ICJ has found plausibly genocidal."

The legal filing has drawn on evidence from Palestinians on the ground in Gaza.

The latest filing comes in addition to the HRF's submission to the International Criminal Court (ICC) alleging that Sa'ar is partially responsible for mass displacement orders issued to Palestinians, the ongoing Israeli siege and for expressing support for Israel's targeting of civilian buildings.

The New Arab has reached out to the FCDO for comment.

The ICC has already issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes, including using starvation as a weapon of war.

Despite the warrants, some Western states have welcomed the Israeli premier, including the United States - a non-signatory to the ICC - which hosted Netanyahu earlier this month.

Hungary also recently hosted Netanyahu and withdrew from the ICC over the warrants, while Belgium has said it will not enforce the warrants.

Israel's war on Gaza has killed over 61,500 people since October 2023, according to Gaza's government media office. Israel is also accused at the World Court of committing genocide against the Palestinians by South Africa, in a case which is ongoing.