Israeli leadership called “mass murderers” in British parliament

 

News Code: 301246

GMT: 1/12/2009 6:34:13 PM

---

Israeli leaders called ‘mass murderers’ in British parliament

London, Jan 12, IRNA – Foreign Secretary David Miliband Monday faced a barrage of criticism from MPs, including from former ministers, over the UK’s policy on the massacres in Gaza, with Israeli leaders described as “mass murderers” and “war criminals.”

Former defence minister Peter Kilfoyle accused Israel of committing “state-sponsored terrorism” in its latest slaughter of more than 800 Palestinians and called on the British government to impose an arms embargo.

Veteran Labour MP and former shadow foreign secretary Gerald Kaufman, described the Israeli prime minister, foreign minister and defence minister as “mass murderers” and asked what reaction there would have been if over 800 Israelis had been killed.

Former Foreign Office Minister Chris Mullin along with fellow Labour MP David Winnock aid that the Israelis had committed “war crimes” in Gaza, while Conservative MP Nicholas Soames said the regime had acted “contrary” to the rules of war.

Respects Party leader George Galloway, who was expelled from the ruling Labour Party for his outspoken criticism of the Iraq war, also described the Israelis as “mass murderers” and called for the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador to the UK.

Former Works and Pensions Secretary, Peter Hain, who has also served as a former Foreign Minister for the Middle East, said that the British government needed a new approach to the Middle East conflict and suggested opening talks with Hamas.

The MPs were given their first opportunity to vent their criticisms of the government’s policy on Gaza following the reconvening of parliament from its Christmas recess, during which Israel launched its latest wave of killing Palestinians.

In an official statement, Miliband claimed that both he and the Prime Minister Gordon Brown had called for an immediate ceasefire since the beginning of Israel’s attacks 17 days ago, but insisted that there can be “no equivalence” between the two sides.

“Hamas have shown themselves over a number of years to be murderous in word and deed. Their motif is resistance and their method includes terrorism. Israel is meanwhile a thriving democratic state with independent judiciary,” he said.

The Foreign Secretary rejected calls for economic sanctions, an embargo of British arms sales to Israel and for the Israeli ambassador to be expelled, saying his government did not believe in isolating the regime.

But he conceded that “any allegations of war crimes must be fully investigated” when challenged by MPs that Israel was committing war crimes.
2220**345**1771

End News / IRNA / News Code 301246