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Benjamin Netanyahu: Spanish Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Israeli Prime Minister, Reports Say

Benjamin Netanyahu: Spanish Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Israeli Prime Minister, Reports Say:

An arrest warrant concerning the 2010 assault on the Gaza-headed support boat Mavi Marmara was issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and seven current and former government officials, news outlets reported.

Netanyahu may be detained if he sets foot on Spanish land.

Former foreign minister Avigdor Liberman, former defense minister Ehud Barak, former interior minister Eli Yishai, former intelligence minister Dan Meridor, present defense minister Moshe Ya’alon, minister Bennie Begin and former head of the Navy Eliezer Marom were also named in the warrants filed by Judge Jose de la Mata of Spain’s National Court, as stated by the Jerusalem Post.

“We’re working together with the Spanish authorities to get it canceled. We expect it’ll be over shortly.”

The warrants originate from a May 31, 2010 event -Israel activists dead. Most boats trying to prevent the blockade were stopped without event, but Israeli Navy commandos boarding the boat were assaulted by a few of the activists on the Mavi Marmara. The Israeli government said it acted in self defense in the episode that was fatal.

The court subsequently said it had no power to prosecute foreign countries for alleged offenses perpetrated outside of Spanish edges, as stated by the Times of Israel although three Spanish citizens aboard the Marmara sued Israel in 2010. Judge De La Mata, nevertheless, seems to have discovered a legal loophole.