Politician of the Week: Chris Davies MEP

This is just pure genius - letter to the Guardian by Chris Davies, Lib-Dem MEP who was forced to resign as head of the Lib-Dems in Europe for offending a Jewish constituent who called him a Jew-hater because of his criticism of Israel.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/letters/story/0,,1770440,00.html

Concern about Palestine has claimed another Liberal Democrat scalp (Lib Dem leader in Europe resigns following anti-Israel remark, May 5). Jenny Tonge lost her position a year or two ago for understanding the despair that motivates suicide bombers. Now my incautious words have cost me my job. The first lesson to be learned is simple: do not send emails when blind fury has overtaken anger.

The second is harder. Do not visit Palestine. Do not see the destruction of any hope of creating a viable independent state. Do not recognise the racist apartheid policies of the Israeli government. Do not despair at the fact that Britain and the EU allows Israel to break international law with impunity yet imposes collective punishment on Palestinans for having voted the "wrong" way.

Chris Davies MEP
Lib Dem, North West of England

For more info, see

http://www.chrisdaviesmep.org.uk/news/2006/May/mep_steps_down.htm