Islamic Affairs Central Network (IACN)

Jenny Tonge Responds

The Liberal Democrat MP Dr Jenny Tonge, while addressing a pro-Palestine rally highlighted the plight of the Palestinians and commented that the suicide bombings carried out by some Palestinians were out of desperation as they did not have an alternative. Her comments caused an uproar and she was sacked from her front bench position in the party.

We had asked you to thank Jenny Tonge and many of you did. Below is a response from Jenny to one of our members.

Dear Correspondent

Thank you for your communication.

Over the last few days I have had thousands of messages of support for my remarks made in an attempt to highlight the deteriorating situation in the Middle East and the plight of the Palestinians in particular.

Around 75% of the messages have been supportive of my views and the rights to express them.

To all those people who have supported me, many Jewish people among them, may I say a heartfelt thank you for helping me through a difficult time. To those who wrote in rage, despair or sorrow: please remember that to understand is not to condone. The cause of peace in the Middle East, upon
which all our futures depend, has been put back on the agenda.

We were promised progress on the Middle East peace process as a reward for supporting George Bush in the war on Iraq and it is now time for Tony Blair to claim this prize.

Yours sincerely

Dr Jenny Tonge
Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park

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