UK Peer: Israel feeds global terrorism
Jenny Tonge, the Liberal Democrat peer, told the House of Lords that ill-treatment of Palestinians by Israelis is the root-cause of terrorism worldwide, according to news agencies. Tonge said Israel's behavior towards Palestinians goes unchecked possibly because of “Holocaust guilt” or “the power of the pro-Israel lobby” in the UK and US. The House of Lords was considering the UK's Strategic Defense and Security Review which stipulates how the British government will deliver the priorities identified in its national security strategy. Tonge addressed the question of world conflict prevention, saying “It is a disgrace to us all that problems such as Kashmir and Palestine are still alienating Muslims all over the world.” “The treatment of Palestinians by Israel is held up as an example of how the West treats Muslims,” she said, “and is at the root cause of terrorism worldwide.” She also said that world powers might need Israel as an “aircraft carrier” in the Middle East, from which they could launch attacks on countries such as Iran.