The following statement by the Liberal Democrats friends of Palestine on criticism that the Liberal Democrat MP for Bradford East David Ward appeared on his website (the criticism related to a recent Tweet).

Very often, denouncements of the conduct of the State of Israel are equated with Anti-Semitism when this is simply not the case. In response to the attacks in Jerusalem yesterday, David Ward was very clear in both his condemnation of the “sickening madness” of the attack itself, whilst also condemning the “failure of the international community to deal with Israel”.

Many advocates for Israel explain attacks upon Gaza and the West Bank in terms of defence. Each time Israel sends its drones and tanks and soldiers and warplanes to devastate the population that it occupies, it seems it is entirely acceptable for a parallel army of media pundits and political campaigners to express both concern for the disproportionate amount of innocent and unarmed Palestinians that die during such attacks by Israel, and the view that Israel has the right to defend itself. Frequently, these same commentators and campaigners seek to stifle similar expressions at disgust at attacks upon Israeli civilians by Palestinians, but which also seek to explain the context in which those attacks take place.

David Ward was neither condoning attacks upon civilians nor blaming “the Jews” as many seem to be characterising his statement. The recent debate and vote asking the Government to recognise Palestine as a State, exemplifies the growing strength of feeling within our communities and Parliament itself, that the international community – of which the Liberal Democrats are a proud part – needs to act to change the status quo.

With the EU now in the early stages of linking its relations with Israel directly to peace talks, the UK itself risks becoming isolated in our obstinate refusal to play our part.

Liberal Democrat Friends of Palestine regret the loss of any campaigner who thinks the stance of the Party is wrong on this issue. We sincerely hope that David Ward‘s statements give encouragement to members that the Liberal Democrats are not blind to the nuances of the ongoing Occupation by Israel of Palestinian land, and accept that condemnation of the State of Israel is not anti-Semitic.

We are proud of the evidence based approach of the Party. In this instance, the evidence is that Israel is side-stepping its obligations as an Occupying Force and relentlessly, unilaterally, and continually annexing land which the Palestinians have declared as part of their State. Some Palestinians see violent resistance as their only recourse given the lack of real action and pressure from outside actors.

Liberal Democrat Friends of Palestine will continue to support all Party members who seek a safe environment to speak transparently about the reality of this situation without being bullied into silence by baseless accusations and an exaggerated outrage at statements that are clear in both meaning and intent. Those who use such techniques will always be more comfortable outside the Liberal Democrats, than in.

The article can be viewed on http://www.ldfp.eu/2014/11/19/david-ward-condemns-jerusalem-attacks/