Immense pressure from assorted Jewish lobbies in Britain have forced an apology from a lone liberal Member of Parliament who dared to make a public comment about Israeli atrocities against Palestinians, the BBC has reported.
According to that news source, Liberal Democrat MP David Ward accused “the Jews” in Israel of “inflicting atrocities on Palestinians… on a daily basis”—but has now been forced to apologize for what he said was an “unintended offence.”
Mr Ward has been condemned by his party for his “use of language” and has been summoned to a meeting with party chiefs, where, no doubt, he will be threatened with further reprisals for daring to speak out about the very real oppression by Israel of the Palestinian people.
His exact word, penned on his personal blog, could not in the slightest manner be considered anti-Semitic—but such is the power of the Jewish extremist lobby that even a honest mention of their criminal activities is reason to act.
Mr Ward’s exact words were: “I am saddened that the Jews, who suffered unbelievable levels of persecution during the Holocaust, could within a few years of liberation from the death camps be inflicting atrocities on Palestinians in the new State of Israel and continue to do so on a daily basis in the West Bank and Gaza”.
But in a blog posting on Saturday he apologised, saying: “I never for a moment intended to criticise or offend the Jewish people as a whole, either as a race or as a people of faith, and apologise sincerely for the unintended offence which my words caused.
His comments drew criticism from his own party, as well as the Holocaust Educational Trust and the Board of Deputies of British Jews.
The Israeli embassy said Mr Ward’s comments demonstrated a “shocking insensitivity to the feelings of both Holocaust survivors and Israeli victims of terrorism”.
Embassy spokesman Amir Ofek said: “David Ward’s comments show a troubling ignorance of the brutal campaign of terrorist attacks waged against Israeli children, women and men by Palestinian terrorist groups, and of the extraordinary efforts made by Israel to protect its citizens in an effective and humane manner.”
Earlier in the week, Mr Ward’s party said: “This is a matter we take extremely seriously. The Liberal Democrats deeply regret and condemn the statement issued by David Ward and his use of language which is unacceptable.”
