The Justice Secretary's "delaying tactics" are making Israeli VIPs furious, sources said.

This despite premier Gordon Brown's determination to allow Israeli officials to visit the UK without the fear of arrest.

Straw has vigorously argued within the Cabinet for delaying legislation by insisting that the matter needs to be considered by the House of Commons Justice Select Committee.

This would effectively rule out any change in the law before the General Election.

Straw's delaying tactics were attacked by Board of Deputies chief executive Jon Benjamin who insisted: "There is no obvious need for delay or further discussion."

Backing for the prime minister has come from Manchester-based Foreign Minister Ivan Lewis who described the planned move as "good news".

He added: "The prime minister's support for the need to change the existing law is good news.

"Israel is a strategic partner and close friend of the UK and her leaders must be able to visit Britain.

"It should also be said that the law as it stands presents potential problems for leaders of other countries who want to visit Britain."

The proposed change in law follows the cancellation of a visit late last year of the former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni after an arrest warrant was issued for her.

As things stand at present, magistrates can grant arrest warrants for visiting officials accused of war crimes.

Israel's Ambassador Ron Prosor said: "The engine is being revved up. However, we are wary that this legislation could end up stuck in the crawler lane - or perhaps run out of fuel, never to reach its destination."