Ehud Olmert cancels Switzerland trip over threat to arrest for war crimes
Former PM had been scheduled to travel to the country but was warned by officials he may be detained upon landing
Ehud Olmert canceled a trip to Switzerland after the former Israeli prime minister was warned that he would be arrested on suspicion of war crimes.
Olmert had been scheduled to travel to Switzerland on Monday, but was warned over the weekend by Israeli defence and justice officials that he would be detained for questioning upon landing, Israel’s Channel 12 first reported Wednesday evening.
According to the report, Olmert at first said he would still travel to Switzerland, but backed down after the officials said his detention would cause great embarrassment to Israel.
Olmert was prime minister during the 2006 Second Lebanon War and the three-week Gaza military operation known as Cast Lead that started in late December 2008.
He reportedly told the officials that he would tell the Swiss that Israel was fighting terrorist organisations – Hezbollah and Hamas, respectively — during the wars.
Olmert is not the only Israeli official who has been under threat of being arrested in a foreign country for war crimes. Former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni canceled a trip to London in 2009 after threats that she would be arrested, and on a private visit to Britain in 2016 managed to evade arrest after a warrant for her arrest was sought by anti-Israel activists.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
