In recent news, a petition in the United Kingdom with the goal of obtaining 100,000 signatures in order for the UK Government to consider apprehending Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu succeeded in hitting its target. The British Government response hit the nail squarely on the head:
"Under UK and international law, visiting heads of foreign governments, such as Prime Minister Netanyahu, have immunity from legal process, and cannot be arrested or detained."
The painful lesson is that a minister with diplomatic character is immune from prosecution in a host nation. Instead, what should have been done is that the International Courts should have been petitioned for a case against the State of Israel and Israel's Prime Minister. This would have at least assured the International Courts would review the matter before determination whether they would hear the matter by the parties.
The Law of Nations has been around since the 18th century and was used to construct the United States Constitution. Why then is it so hard for people to understand that a law exists governing nations and their conduct in the course of business such as that of disputes? This is because common people do not understand law, they do not understand legal protocol, and they do not understand the mechanics of the rules governing how to petition the appropriate venue. Citizens are required to petition the UK Government to take up their cause in order to petition the International Courts. Better luck next time?
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