Lib Dem MP faces party leadership's wrath over Holocaust jibe at Israel

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/jan/27/lib-dem-mp-holocaust-insult

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A Liberal Democrat MP who likened the atrocities against Palestinians by "the Jews" to the Holocaust has made a public apology in the face of widespread anger.

David Ward, MP for Bradford East, said he stood by his criticisms of the Israeli state but had not intended to insult Jewish people. He wrote on his website: "I recognise of course the deep sensitivities of these issues at all times, and particularly on occasions of commemoration such as this weekend."

Ward caused a public outcry on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day after claiming "the suffering by the Jews has not transformed their views on how others should be treated". He was widely criticised and told by his party that the language and timing were unacceptable.

However, Ward defended his position in a blog on his website by quoting Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, who wrote: "I swore never to be silent whenever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented."

On Friday Wiesel, a Nobel peace prizewinner, condemned Ward.

"Although he quotes me correctly, I am outraged that he uses my words at the same time he utters shameless slanders on the state of Israel," he said.

The MP wrote on Saturday that he "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".

Sunday marks the 68th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration and extermination camp.

Wiesel is the author of 57 books, and was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 1986. He has also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal and the Legion of Honour.