Plans for legal action, protests ahead of Israel president's UK visit

UK pro-Palestine organisations are calling for protests and legal action against Israeli President Isaac Herzog, whose controversial trip to the country this week has sparked widespread condemnation.

The Israeli leader is expected to meet with UK ministers during his three-day visit, which comes just a few weeks before the British government is expected to recognise a Palestinian state.

The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians has called on British police to investigate Herzog for alleged war crimes when he arrives on Tuesday.

Despite the Israeli presidency being a largely ceremonial role, rights groups believe his comments regarding the war on Gaza warrant legal action.

The organisation – composed of British legal experts, politicians and rights defenders – has written to Scotland Yard's War Crimes Unit urging it to interview the head of state in connection with the Israeli military's destruction of Gaza.

It said that the Israeli leader could bear criminal liability for alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture, and actions that could constitute genocide.

"This action represents a significant escalation in the global legal effort to hold senior Israeli officials accountable for war crimes and grave breaches of international law," said ICJP’s Senior Public Affairs and Communications Officer Jonathan Purcell.

Herzog was quoted by the International Court of Justice during South Africa's 2024 genocide hearing of having used "dehumanising language" to describe Palestinians living in Gaza.

"It is an entire nation out there that is responsible. It is not true this rhetoric about civilians not aware, not involved," he said a few days after the 7 October 2023 attacks.

His comments were among numerous declarations by Israeli officials that South Africa said demonstrated intent to commit genocide.

The UN court ruled that Israel's actions in Gaza – which have now killed at least 64,522 people, driven hundreds of thousands towards starvation, and left most of the territory in ruins – constitute a plausible case of genocide.

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

A coalition of campaigning groups has called on people to protest Herzog's visit to London on Thursday.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the Stop the War Coalition and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament are among those who will participate in the demonstration.

"PSC condemns the disgraceful announcement that nearly two years into Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, Israeli President Isaac Herzog will visit Britain next week," it said in a statement.

It continued: "If this visit goes ahead, Herzog must be subject to robust action and investigation by the police. We will ensure that he is met with enormous protest".

The visit has triggered backlash among MPs in Prime Minister Keir Starmer's own party, who have urged him not to meet with the Israeli leader.

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell said he was "appalled" that the government had allowed his visit.

"The prime minister is proving to be absolutely tone deaf to the desperate plight of the Palestinian people and the overwhelming feelings of revulsion of the British people at the brutality of the government Herzog represents," he said.

Neither the UK nor Israeli governments have confirmed which cabinet ministers will meet Herzog during the three-day visit.

This comes less than three weeks before the UN General Assembly, where the UK is expected to be among several Western countries to recognise the state of Palestine.