British court issues arrest warrant for Israel's former FM

A British court issued an arrest warrant for Israel's former foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, on war crimes charges but withdrew the order when she cancelled a previously scheduled trip to the country.

Israel is warning that the move will harm relations between the two nations.

Former Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, has staunchly defended Israel's 22-day offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip earlier this year. Hundreds of civilians were killed in the operation.

Livni insists that Israel's actions were undertaken to restore the country's deterrence.

Tzipi Livni, Israel's former Foreign Minister, said, "Arrest warrants or no arrest warrants, this is the role of a leader and, as far as I'm concerned, I would repeat each and every decision."

Israel says the charge is "outrageous."

Yuli Edelstein, Israeli Information Minister, said, "I want to warn it's not the first case and will, in the end, influence the relations, the good relations, between the two countries."

Israeli former foreign minister Tzipi Livni, pictured on December 3. (AFP/File/Gerard Cerles)