David Ward In Row After '#Zionist' Tweet

By Jon Craig, Chief Political Correspondent

Nick Clegg has been accused of handing a "joke" punishment to a LibDem MP who made outspoken attacks on Israel.

Bradford East MP David Ward has been involved in a lengthy battle with the party leadership since January when he accused Jews in Israel of "inflicting atrocities on Palestinians".

His remarks sparked outrage, coming only days before Holocaust Day, and led to a series of meetings with Mr Clegg, deputy leader Simon Hughes and Chief Whip Alistair Carmichael.

But despite pleas from the leadership for restraint, last week Mr Ward tweeted: "Am I wrong or are am I right? At long last the #Zionists are losing the battle – how long can the #apartheid State of #Israel last?"

Now, after another meeting with Mr Clegg and party bosses, Mr Ward has been suspended and had the LibDem whip withdrawn until September 13.

But the punishment has been greeted with derision by MPs of other parties, since it was handed out on the day the Commons rises for the summer recess.

And the suspension will be lifted at the end of the two-week sitting of the Commons in September, in time for Mr Ward to attend the Lib Dems' autumn conference in Glasgow.

"It's a total let-off," said a former minister. "He's suspended for the summer recess, doesn't have to come back for the unwanted two weeks in September and he can go to his party conference. It's a joke."

The suspension was announced in a letter to Mr Ward from Mr Carmichael, who wrote: "Thank you for coming to see Nick, Simon and me this afternoon.

"You will recall that we discussed the report of your two meetings with the group convened by Simon, which included Jewish colleagues. As Nick indicated to you, that report was a largely positive one. In particular we were all pleased to note that you appreciated the need to use language in this debate that was proportionate and precise.

Lib Dem MP Mike Hancock resigned the whip in June to fight sex allegations

"It was therefore with immense disappointment that we were presented with your public comment made on 13th July on Twitter in the following terms:

'Am I wrong or are am I right? At long last the #Zionists are losing the battle - how long can the #apartheid State of #Israel last?'

"We were in unanimous agreement that questioning the continued existence of the State of Israel fails the test of language that is proportionate and precise.

"We want to be clear with you that in this process we are not concerned about your views and opinions on the policies of present or previous  Israeli governments, nor  the situation in the Israeli-occupied territories, nor the strength of feeling with which your views are held. As we have sought to impress upon you repeatedly, we are having to decide on whether language you chose to use in January and February, and now this month, is language which brings the party into disrepute or harms the interests of the Party.

"During the meeting, we put it to you that your most recent statement – which specifically questions the continuing existence of the State of Israel – is neither proportionate nor precise.  Unfortunately, we considered your explanation to be unconvincing and it did not satisfy us that you understood the importance of conducting the debate on this issue at all times and in all places in terms that are proportionate and precise.

"We wish to reiterate that this is not about telling you what your views should be. Indeed, we have all visited the occupied territories and we have all experienced an instinctive and liberal reaction to the humanitarian suffering we have witnessed. You will know that Nick, Simon and I have a consistent track record of being outspoken about illegal settlement activities of  Israeli governments and the threat this  poses to the two-state solution for which the party has long argued.

"It is also immensely frustrating for us to find ourselves constantly responding to questions about disproportionate and imprecise language from you. These interventions cause considerable offence rather than addressing questions of political substance about the plight of the Palestinian people and the right of Israel's citizens to live a life free of violence. It is extraordinarily difficult to gain traction in that debate at an effective political level if the expression of our concerns is undermined by the way your language misrepresents the view of our party.

"Whilst we understand you have your own views about this process, which has been long and complicated, we also hope you recognise that we have given you every opportunity to reconcile the expression of your views with the party's policy on a two-state solution. Unfortunately, you have not been able to do that.

"Therefore, it is with regret that I have to inform you that we have decided to suspend the Liberal Democrat whip from you. This period of suspension will be with immediate effect until  13th  September inclusive. I very much regret that it has been necessary to take this action."

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

David Ward In Row After '#Zionist' Tweet

Dengan url

http://yojanganmenyerah.blogspot.com/2013/07/david-ward-in-row-after-zionist-tweet.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

David Ward In Row After '#Zionist' Tweet

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

David Ward In Row After '#Zionist' Tweet

sebagai sumbernya