LONDON: The UK government sent the contact details of counterterrorism officials to the Israeli Embassy amid an investigation into a pro-Palestine demonstration, The Guardian reported on Tuesday.
This has raised concerns about foreign interference in the UK’s justice system, with legal experts questioning the involvement of Israeli officials in a British legal matter.
The communication, an email from the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) to Israeli Deputy Ambassador Daniela Grudsky Ekstein, was sent on September 9 of last year. The subject line indicated it contained contact details for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and counterterrorism police, following the arrests of ten Palestine Action demonstrators under the UK’s Terrorism Act. The activists were apprehended after protesting at an Israeli weapons factory in the UK, with additional arrests occurring in November related to the same incident.
Nicola Smith, the head of international law at the AGO, sent the email shortly after meeting Grudsky Ekstein. While the email content was largely redacted, previous communications between the Embassy and the AGO highlight attempts by Israeli officials to influence British legal proceedings, which the AGO has historically rejected.
Legal experts, including Lydia Dagostino from Kellys Solicitors, emphasize the troubling implications of the information shared. Questions arise about the reasons behind providing CPS contact details to the Israeli Embassy and whether this represents undue foreign influence in domestic legal matters.
The use of the UK’s counterterrorism legislation against protesters has drawn criticism. In November, UN rapporteurs expressed concern over the “unjustified use” of terrorism laws against demonstrators. Those arrested have faced significant legal and human rights challenges, including limited access to legal support and prolonged detention periods.
Responding to the revelations, Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, stated the Attorney General’s Office appeared to facilitate foreign involvement in ongoing criminal cases, highlighting the urgent need for an independent investigation into these actions. A government source reiterated that contact with embassies is routine for sharing pertinent case information, insisting that prosecution decisions remain independent of governmental influence.
Agencies