David Cameron has rubbished a Labour MP’s claim that British Jews who fight in the Israeli army should be stripped of their passports.
The Prime Minister hit back at backbencher Grahame Morris in the Commons on Monday during the debate on terrorism and the threat posed by Islamic State.
Easington MP Mr Morris said: “Given the strong evidence of Israeli war crimes in Gaza… will British citizens fighting in the Israel defence forces be treated in the same way as those returning from Syria and Iraq?”
Mr Cameron, who had suggested suspected terrorists could have their passports taken at UK borders, replied: “I really do not think that is a fair or reasonable way of describing the situation. The conflict was started by Hamas rockets raining down on Israel, and Israel has a right to defend itself.”
He said Mr Morris would “come to regret” his remark.
Speaking in Parliament for the first time since the Gaza conflict began, Mr Cameron said: “We have all been deeply saddened by the violence there.”
While he supported Israel’s right to defend itself, Britain could not back “every decision the Israeli government take”.
He also expressed concern about the rise of antisemitism in Britain.
Labour leader Ed Miliband said he regretted the loss of civilian lives in Gaza and Israel. He condemned Hamas rocket attacks, but said Israel’s response could not be justified.
