The Danish daily newspaper Berlingske Tidende quoted Jensen as saying that Gillon could face immediate arrest when he arrives in Copenhagen in August under the terms of the United Nations anti-torture convention.

Gillon's appointment sparked an uproar in Denmark and a crisis in the diplomatic relations between Denmark and Israel. Several international human rights groups called on the Danish government to reject Gillon's appointment and ask Israel to withdraw his nomination.

According to the US-based Human Rights Watch, Gillon was directly involved in about 100 cases of torture of Palestinians as head of the GSS's headquarters branch, then of the entire organization, between 1993 and 1996.

In Israel, B'Tselem, the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, issued a statement in June calling upon Foreign Affairs Minister Shimon Peres "not to appoint to a representative position a person responsible for the torture of hundreds of detainees, in violation of international and Israeli law."

Gillon sparks controversy by defending torture
The controversy over Gillon's appointment intensified when Gillon defended the use of torture as a means of "self-defense against terrorism." In an interview recently with the Danish media, Gillon warned that Israel may have to re-introduce "moderate physical torture" in the near future when interrogating suspected Palestinian terrorists. "We banned this form of interrogation in Israel in 1999 because of the peace process. Unfortunately, it looks like we may have to start using it again," Gillon said.

Denmark is vanguard of the European movement pressing for legal action against torturers. The country is home to the Danish Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims (RCT), a leading international lobbying organization against torture and for the rehabilitation of torture victims. RCT spokesman Tue Magnusson said, '[Gillon's] statements are not only quite shocking, but also in direct contravention of UN convention."

One Danish parliament member found the calls for Gillon's arrest "deeply hypocritical." Center Democrat leader Peter Duetoft pointed out that Denmark "recently had the biggest terrorist on an official visit, that is, Yasser Arafat, but nobody wanted to lock him up."

Peres said this week that Israel had no intention of withdrawing the nomination of Gillon as Ambassador to Denmark. "We appointed an ambassador to Denmark - a man who is thoroughly familiar with the terrible dilemmas sometimes posed by matters of national security, and who has not lost his faith in peace," Peres told the Knesset.

Gillon's appointment was made by Peres, who previously selected Gillon as director-general of the Peres Center for Peace. Some diplomatic officials consider the ambassadorial appointment as a mistake, and that Peres should not have considered sending the former head of the GSS to a country that views itself as a leading champion of human rights.

Not all Israeli politicians support Gillon's appointment. MK Colette Avital (Labor), a former senior diplomat called on Gillon to withdraw his candidacy. Avital said that diplomacy must "open doors and not put up walls." Avital warned that Gillon could end up isolated in the job and unable to function.

Should Gillon withdraw from the nomination?
An editorial that appeared recently in the Jerusalem Post noted that in his interview with the Danish media, "Gillon demonstrated a poor understanding of the need to present Israel's case in the most effective way." The Jerusalem Post suggested, "Gillon should withdraw his name as ambassador, not because Israel's policies are indefensible, but because his own interview and the ruckus it generated indicate that he might not be the right person to defend them."

Gillon indicated recently that he has no intention of voluntarily backing down from the appointment. Gillon is scheduled to travel to Denmark next month before presenting his credentials to Denmark's queen.

Foreign Affairs Ministry officials charge that backing down now would set a dangerous precedent. One official told the Jerusalem Post, "First it would admit that Israel tortures prisoners, and secondly it would give foreign governments veto power over who can hold what official positions in Israel."

Danish Foreign Minister Mogens Lykketoft issued a statement earlier this month saying the decision who would serve as its ambassador to Denmark is Israel's. Even so, Gillon's arrival in Copenhagen is expected to be marked by protests and demonstrations.

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