Boris Johnson condemns the Met Police for investigating Israel over alleged war crimes in Gaza as he says the force’s appeal for witnesses to the conflict indicates a ‘worrying politicisation’ of the force
- The Met is supporting investigation into Israel by International Criminal Court
Boris Johnson has condemned Scotland Yard for investigating Israel over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
The former prime minister mentioned the Metropolitan Police’s appeal for witnesses to the conflict in the Middle East indicated a ‘worrying politicisation’ of the force.
His feedback come after it emerged that counter-terrorism police have put up posters in British airports telling travellers they will report crimes relating to occasions since the Hamas assaults of October 7 as half of an International Criminal Court probe.
Addressed to ‘Travellers who’ve been in Israel/Palestinian Territories’, the indicators state: ‘If you’ve been in Israel/Palestinian Territories and have witnessed or been a sufferer of terrorism, war crimes or crimes in opposition to humanity, then you may report this to the UK police.’
The posters clarify that the Met – which has a war crimes workforce – is supporting a long-running investigation into Israel by the International Criminal Court in the Hague, which is wanting into occasions since the Hamas assaults of October 7.
Scotland Yard advised the Daily Telegraph it had obtained greater than 40 referrals in current weeks, together with from people getting back from the area. Most are believed to concern allegations of war crimes in opposition to Israel.
It comes after the Met failed to arrest pro-Hamas demonstrators for glorifying terrorism on the streets of London. Two officers had been additionally pictured eradicating posters calling for the launch of Israeli hostages, whereas others stopped the Campaign Against Antisemitism displaying pictures of kidnapped youngsters on an digital billboard.
Mr Johnson advised the Daily Telegraph: ‘This appears like a worrying politicisation of the Met Police – particularly after Met officers had been seen tearing down posters of Israeli hostages in Gaza.’
He went on: ‘When I used to be mayor I made it clear that we might not import overseas wars or disputes on to the streets of London. The Met could be higher off preventing knife crime.’
Gideon Falter, chief government of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, mentioned: ‘This poster marketing campaign is totally surreal. At a time when protesters are marching in London each week sporting Hamas-style headbands, shouting genocidal chants, calling for jihad in opposition to the Jewish state and inciting violent intifada with obvious impunity, the Met is anxious with acts of terrorism and allegations of war crimes midway round the world, probably even in contravention of the acknowledged place of the British Government.’
Last night time the Met Police mentioned the force had a obligation to help the ICC. It additionally mentioned officers had been additionally gathering proof relating to the October 7 assaults, on condition that British nationals had been victims of them.
The force added: ‘At this time, there isn’t a UK-based investigation by the war crimes workforce linked to the present occasions in the Middle East.’
