Retired Israel Navy commander Admiral Eli Meron explained on that reports citing he was detained upon arrival in Heathrow Airport are incorrect.

The former senior IDF commander explained “immigration officials took interest in me due to my background”. He explained that he was asked questions of interest and then permitted to proceed and at no time was he placed under arrest or detained.

It was reported that the admiral was detained because he served as a navy chief during Operation Cast Lead and during the Mavi Marmara affair. He was presumably questioned in connection with war crimes charges against a number of political and military officials in Israel in connection to those time periods.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)