MP's Gaza Tweet 'Incites Terrorism', Police Told

The Israeli ambassador has urged Nick Clegg to take "forceful and immediate" action against a Lib Dem MP who posted an "abhorrent" tweet about the bloodshed in Gaza.

It comes as it was disclosed David Ward has been reported to the police for allegedly inciting terrorism through Twitter posts, in which he said: "The big question is - if I lived in #Gaza would I fire a rocket? - probably yes."

It was the first of two messages posted by the MP for Bradford East, the second of which read: "Ich bin ein #palestinian - the West must make up its mind - which side is it on?"

Israel has been engaged in a two-week offensive in Gaza, which it says was launched in response to rockets fired across the border by Hamas militants.

The remarks from Mr Ward, who has previously been disciplined by the Lib Dems for voicing his opinions on the situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories, drew widespread condemnation.

Daniel Taub, Israel's ambassador in London, wrote to Mr Clegg to voice his "shock and disgust" and said: "Mr Ward has, in the past, made hurtful and shocking statements regarding Israel and the Holocaust, but there surely has been none so abhorrent and damaging as his latest statement justifying these attacks."

He added: "I urge you to take forceful and immediate action to make clear beyond any doubt that views such as those of Mr Ward have no place in your party."

By Wednesday lunchtime, Mr Ward had issued an apology in which he condemned the violence "on both sides in Israel and Gaza".

"I condemn the actions of Hamas and my comments were not in support of firing rockets into Israel," he said.

"If they gave the opposite impression, I apologise."

A spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats said: "This is a categorical apology from David Ward. In light of this apology, the party and the whips will decide in due course if further disciplinary action should be taken."

Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi has reported the matter to the police and asked them to investigate Mr Ward for "the offence of encouragement of terrorism".

A Labour spokesman said: "At a time when all sides should be working for a ceasefire and a peaceful settlement, it defies belief that a Liberal Democrat MP should tweet something so vile and irresponsible."

It is not the first time Mr Ward has been in trouble for posting messages about Israel on Twitter.

Last year he was involved in a lengthy battle with the Lib Dem leadership after he accused Israel of "inflicting atrocities on Palestinians".

He also called Israel an "apartheid state" and referred to Israelis as "Zionists".

The comments, which were made days before Holocaust Memorial Day, caused anger and led to a series of meetings with Mr Clegg and other senior party members.

Mr Ward was suspended over those comments in July last year and had the Lib Dem whip withdrawn until mid-September.