Isareli soldiers can't travel to the UK....

The UK has reneged on a promise...

London will not push through changes in legislation that permits the arrest of Israel Defense Forces officers visiting Britain on war crimes, as previously promised, Jerusalem has learned.

In an unofficial message to Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Britain said that as a result of the decline in Israel's public image following Operation Cast Lead the government believes it will be unable to pass the amendment to the legislation before next year's scheduled elections.

British law permits private citizens to press charges against foreigners on war crimes charges. Once an indictment has been issued suspects can be arrested if they enter Britain.

In 2005 Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog flew to London for a brief visit. After being informed, while still on the plane, that police were waiting for him to disembark so that they could arrest him, Almog remained on the aircraft and returned to Israel.

An arrest warrant had been issued against him for his alleged role in the razing of Palestinian homes in Rafah during his service as GOC Southern Command.

Since that incident, senior IDF officers in both active and reserve service, including former IDF chiefs of staff and cabinet ministers (Ehud Barak and Shaul Mofaz), have avoided traveling to Britain.