Tonge defends “disgraceful” comments
A Liberal Democrat MP has caused a political storm by expressing empathy with suicide bombers.
Although she could not condone terrorism, Richmond Park MP, Jenny Tonge, after a meeting with a pro-Palestinian lobby in the Commons on Wednesday, said suicide bombers were men and women “born out of desperation” and she herself would contemplate such extremism if she lived in Gaza and the West Bank.
“From minor things to major things their life does not feel like it is their own.
“I do not condone suicide bombers. No one can condone them but I do understand why people out there become suicide bombers.”
“It is out of desperation and I guess if I was in their situation, with my children and grandchildren, and I saw no hope for the future at all, I might just think about it myself.”
Lord Janner of Braunstone, a Labour peer in the second chamber, said the comments were “disgraceful” and “wrong.”
“She is saying that she supports people who are suicide bombers, which means murderers and terrorists.
“To say in any way that you understand it, or … that you approve of it is totally disgraceful and wrong.”
And Tory foreign affairs spokesman, Michael Ancram, said Dr Tonge’s remarks would “sicken those who have lost loved ones to suicide bombers.”
Although Ms Tonge has issued a “clarification” about her comments, she broadly stands by the sentiment, saying she would not be retracting them at all.
“What I actually said was that whilst I could not condone suicide bombers and what they did, I fully understood them because I have been to Palestine and I have seen what is happening to the Palestinians over many, many years.’
“I fully understand where they are coming from.
“I also said that, as a mother and grandmother, if I had lived in those conditions with absolutely no hope and in complete despair for my family over the decades that this has been going on, that I might also consider becoming a suicide bomber myself.’
“I did not say that I would be one, I said that I can understand the situation that creates them.”
She added: ‘I am also not condoning and do not even understand why the Israeli Government can carry on with its policy of settlements and settler’s roads which is taking over illegal territories. It is not their land.’
‘I cannot condone or understand the building of a security wall, and I cannot condone or understand the way the Israeli Army bulldozes civilians in their own houses and shoots at little children.’
Dr Tonge is expected to be called before Andrew Stunell, the party’s chief whip.
Charles Kennedy has distanced himself from the controversial comments.
A spokesman for the leader said: “Jenny Tonge was expressing her personal views. She was not speaking for Liberal Democrats. Liberal Democrats do not condone terrorism in any circumstances, whether by suicide bombers or anyone else.”
