(JTA) — Israel’s ambassador to the United Kingdom visited a city whose representative to Parliament declared an “Israel-free zone.”
Daniel Taub came to Bradford, in northern England, on Monday at the invitation of community members, the local Telegraph and Argus newspaper reported. Taub met with local lawmakers, faith leaders and representatives of other community organizations.
George Galloway of the Respect party announced at a party meeting on Aug. 2, “We have declared Bradford an Israel-free zone.”
“I am here because I was invited to come by the people of Bradford, who sent a clear message that George Galloway does not represent them,” Taub said during his visit, according to the newspaper. “I don’t believe George Galloway is the real voice of Bradford. There is a long history of cooperation between Bradford and Israel.”
Galloway in his comments had said, “We don’t want any Israeli goods, we don’t want any Israeli services, we don’t want any Israeli academics coming to the university or the college, we don’t even want any Israeli tourists to come to Bradford, even if any of them had thought of doing so.”
A Galloway spokesman told the British media that his remarks were in reaction to Israel’s operation in Gaza.
Several complaints were filed against Galloway for the comments and he is under police investigation.
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