Peer denies being an anti-semite

A PEER who resigned the Liberal Democrat whip after refusing to apologise for an outspoken attack against Israel has denied being anti-semitic.

Baroness Tonge insisted she believed in Israel’s right to exist, but accused the state of “ethnic cleansing” and “what many people would describe as terrorism”.

She was speaking in the House of Lords for the first time since her clash with the Lib Dem leadership over the comments made last month.

The peer was issued with an ultimatum to apologise or have the whip withdrawn after she claimed the state of Israel “is not going to be there forever”.

Lady Tonge insisted she had received hundreds of letters offering “huge support” following her comments at Middlesex University.

During a House of Lords debate on the Middle East she maintained her attack on Israel’s record.

She told peers: “I am not anti-semitic, but I am anti-injustice.

“I think the treatment of the Palestinians over the last six decades by Israel and the international community has been a gross injustice which has eaten away at peace in the Middle East and has served to fuel extreme Islamism and terrorism.

“I believe Israel has the right to exist within the 1967 borders. Of course I do. Hamas leaders who I’ve met in Damascus and Gaza also accept the existence of Israel within the 1967 borders laid down by the United Nations.”