The Government invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as head of the Israeli Government, to visit the UK in September. Under UK and international law, certain holders of high-ranking office in a State, including Heads of State and Heads of Government are entitled to immunity, which includes inviolability and complete immunity from criminal jurisdiction.
I welcomed the visit. This country is a close friend of Israel and we enjoy an excellent bilateral relationship built on decades of mutual cooperation. Mr Netanyahu’s visit provided an opportunity for Britain to deepen our relationship with Israel and to highlight the areas in which our two countries work well together, such as in the fields of education, hi-tech research, business and culture. It also provided the opportunity to discuss areas where the UK Government and the Israeli Government do not agree.
By Patrick McLoughlin on October 15, 2015