Liberal Democrat MP Criticised For Saying He Would Fire A Rocket If He Lived In Gaza

    The comments, made by David Ward, come two years after he called Israel an "apartheid state".

    A Liberal Democrat MP came under criticism from his party late on Tuesday night for saying he would "fire a rocket" if he lived in Gaza. David Ward, MP for Bradford West, sent out two tweets earlier in the day which caused a stir on social media.

    The big question is - if I lived in #Gaza would I fire a rocket? - probably yes

    Ich bin ein #palestinian - the West must make up its mind - which side is it on?

    The tweet was met with near instant condemnation, with many suggesting that the politician is endorsing terrorism and the murder of innocent civilians.

    Question for @DavidWardMP. In firing your rockets into Israel, how many Jews would you hope to kill?

    What a disgrace this man is.Morally reprehensible.Must be removed from office.Please report support for terrorism. https://t.co/9Y7p1RSsPa

    Ward is now set to face disciplinary action. A party spokesman said Ward's remarks were "clearly vile, crass and offensive" and that he would be subjected to disciplinary action.

    The spokesman also told the BBC: "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.

    "We fully support his right to campaign on behalf of the Palestinian people, but these views are clearly vile, crass and offensive."

    (2/3) We utterly condemn David Ward's comments, they are not representative of the Liberal Democrats.

    (3/3) The party takes this matter very seriously and will treat it as a disciplinary issue.

    Israel last week launched a ground offensive into Gaza City as part of Operation Protective Edge, with the aim of reducing rocket fire into Israel from Hamas militants. 631 Palestinians and 30 Israelis have died since the operation began.

    This is not the first time the Lib Dem MP has tweeted about Palestine. In July 2013, he was suspended after he questioned the existence of Israel and referred to it as an "apartheid state".

    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?

    There was also a public outcry against Ward in January 2013, when he compared the situation of Palestinians to that of the "suffering of the Jews" during the Holocaust.

    He said at an event on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day that "the suffering by the Jews has not transformed their views on how others should be treated."

    He later added on his blog: "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."