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| Lib Dems condemn MP's criticism of Israel ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day | Lib Dems condemn MP's criticism of Israel ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Liberal Democrats have "condemned" their MP David Ward for his "use of language" in a statement about Israel's treatment of Palestinians, issued ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day. | The Liberal Democrats have "condemned" their MP David Ward for his "use of language" in a statement about Israel's treatment of Palestinians, issued ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day. |
| On his website, Mr Ward said he was committed to "honouring those who died during the Holocaust". | On his website, Mr Ward said he was committed to "honouring those who died during the Holocaust". |
| But he accused "the Jews" in Israel of "inflicting atrocities on Palestinians... on a daily basis". | But he accused "the Jews" in Israel of "inflicting atrocities on Palestinians... on a daily basis". |
| A Lib Dem spokesman said the remarks were a matter of "deep regret". | A Lib Dem spokesman said the remarks were a matter of "deep regret". |
| And the Holocaust Educational Trust described them as "sickening and unacceptable". | And the Holocaust Educational Trust described them as "sickening and unacceptable". |
| The MP has been summoned for a meeting with party officials on Monday. | The MP has been summoned for a meeting with party officials on Monday. |
| 'Regret' | 'Regret' |
| Mr Ward, who has represented Bradford East since 2010, "signed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, in doing so pledging his commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day", his website said, on a page which has since been taken down. | Mr Ward, who has represented Bradford East since 2010, "signed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, in doing so pledging his commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day", his website said, on a page which has since been taken down. |
| This Sunday - Holocaust Memorial Day - marks the 68th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp, where more than one million people - mostly Jews - died. | This Sunday - Holocaust Memorial Day - marks the 68th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp, where more than one million people - mostly Jews - died. |
| Mr Ward's website describes Auschwitz as "the Nazi concentration and extermination camp which is the site of the largest mass murder in history". | Mr Ward's website describes Auschwitz as "the Nazi concentration and extermination camp which is the site of the largest mass murder in history". |
| The website indicated that the MP supported efforts "to combat prejudice and racism today" by the Holocaust Educational Trust. | The website indicated that the MP supported efforts "to combat prejudice and racism today" by the Holocaust Educational Trust. |
| But Mr Ward added: "Having visited Auschwitz twice - once with my family and once with local schools - 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 Mr Ward added: "Having visited Auschwitz twice - once with my family and once with local schools - 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." |
| Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: "I am deeply saddened that at this sombre time, when we remember those who were murdered by the Nazis, Mr Ward has deliberately abused the memory of the Holocaust, causing deep pain and offence. | Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: "I am deeply saddened that at this sombre time, when we remember those who were murdered by the Nazis, Mr Ward has deliberately abused the memory of the Holocaust, causing deep pain and offence. |
| "These comments are sickening and unacceptable and have no place in British politics." | "These comments are sickening and unacceptable and have no place in British politics." |
| A Lib Dem spokesman 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." | A Lib Dem spokesman 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." |
| Jon Benjamin, chief executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: "We are outraged and shocked at these offensive comments about Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the suggestion that Jews should have learned a lesson from the experience. | Jon Benjamin, chief executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: "We are outraged and shocked at these offensive comments about Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the suggestion that Jews should have learned a lesson from the experience. |
| "For an MP to have made such comments on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day is even more distasteful, and we welcome the fact that the Liberal Democrats have sought to disassociate the party from David Ward's comments." |