Israel yesterday slammed a British arrest warrant for former foreign minister Tzipi Livni, warning Britain would not be able to play a key role in the peace process unless it curbed such actions

"Israel rejects the cynical legal move made in the British court against the head of the opposition, Tzipi Livni, at the behest of radical elements," the Foreign Ministry said.

It was referring to an arrest warrant understood to have been issued by a London court at the weekend against Ms Livni over her role in Israel's war against Hamas-run Gaza at the turn of the year.

Ms Livni defended her actions during the offensive.

"The operation in Gaza was necessary. Operation Cast Lead achieved its goal, which was to restore Israel's deterrence capabilities," she said in remarks broadcast on television.

"Israel must do what is right for Israel, regardless of judgments, statements and arrest warrants. It's the leadership's duty, and I would repeat each and every decision," she said.

Later yesterday, British Ambassador Tom Phillips was summoned to the Foreign Ministry to be handed the government's protest.

"Israel calls on the British government to fulfil its promises, once and for all, to act in preventing the exploitation of the British legal system by anti-Israel elements," the statement said. "The absence of immediate, determined action to correct this abuse harms relations between Britain and Israel," it added.

"If Israeli leaders cannot visit Britain in proper, dignified fashion, this will, quite naturally, seriously compromise Britain's ability to play the active role in the Middle East peace process that it desires."

Media reports said the warrant caused Ms Livni to cancel a trip to Britain, although her office said the trip was only postponed because of scheduling problems.

This was only the latest incident in which British courts have issued, or have been asked to issue, arrest warrants for Israeli officials.

In September, pro-Palestinian activists sought to have Defence Minister Ehud Barak arrested over his role in the Gaza war, but a court denied the request on the grounds of diplomatic immunity.

In 2005, a retired Israeli general, Doron Almog, avoided arrest in Britain by returning to Israel without leaving the plane that had landed him in London after he learned an arrest warrant had been issued against him.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said last night Britain was seeking changes to legal system to avoid Livni-type warrants.