Israel warns on British arrest warrants

JERUSALEM, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Britain's tolerance of arrest warrants issued against Israeli officials is undermining bilateral relations, Israel warned Tuesday.

Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said the warrants, connected to lawsuits over alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip, are making it impossible for Israeli leaders to visit Britain and threatens to "undermine relations" between the two countries, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.

"If the British law remains unchanged, this would undermine the good relations between the two countries who share common values and interests," he said. "The British must bear in mind that these visits serve both countries."

Ayalon called on British Attorney General Patricia Janet Scotland to find an immediate solution to the "intolerable" situation. Haaretz said Scotland indicated Tuesday she was aware of the "urgent" need to address the arrest warrants.

The situation was highlighted this week when Israeli opposition leader Tzipi Livni canceled a planned trip to Britain after a warrant was issued there for her arrest, Haaretz said.