Danny Ayalon’s Arrival Sparks Outrage In London

Livni, along with defense minister Ehud Barak, were spared a legal trial through the diplomatic immunity they enjoyed as ministers on a state visit. Prosecution lawyers argued the Knesset members were implicated in war crimes relating to Operation Cast Lead in Gaza, with Michael Massih QC stating international law "places a direct responsibility not only on those who pull the trigger, but on those higher up the chain of command". Ayalon’s last visit to the capital, in October 2009, was marked by a large scale student demonstration while he spoke at the London School of Economics.

Student demonstration during Danny Ayalon’s speech to the LSE

The deputy foreign minister will meet with British representatives on foreign policy and with special responsibilities to the middle east. High on his priorities list for discussion will be Britain’s active role in the BDS campaign, proposed law changes to guarantee immunity for Israeli politicians in the UK and a combined strategy to curb Iran’s nuclear program.

He will deliver a speech at Oxford University and chair a public ‘brain-storming’ session at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), where today‘s protest will be held. It is believed his visit will form the basis of a new PR campaign in Britain, designed to repair Israel’s image in a country whose public, if not its politicians, have widely condemned its policies toward Palestinians.

Ayalon is perhaps a surprising choice for such a delicate mission. The minister was recently forced into an embarrassing apology to Turkey over his bizarre behaviour during a meeting with ambassador Ahmet Oguz Celikkol this month. The ambassador was forced to sit in a much lower chair than Ayalon, in a room without the Turkish flag on display. The deputy foreign minister instructed Israeli representatives “not to smile”, but later apologised saying in future he would behave in a “diplomatically acceptable manner”. Despite this, Ayalon is currently embroiled in a new row with Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal over remarks made on Palestine.

Ayalon demeans the Turkish ambassador by forcing him to sit on a low chair.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign explained the reasons behind the protest , which include Ayalon’s membership of the far-right Yisrael Beitenu party. “(YB) is well-known for its racist policies, including its proposals to jail Palestinians in Israel who commemorate the anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba.” The party was formed by outspoken MK Avigdor Liebermann, whose proposals have included drowning Palestinian prisoners in the Dead Sea and a nuclear strike on Gaza.