LONDON
British lawmaker George Galloway has been questioned by police after he declared the northern English city of Bradford an “Israel-free zone” in a speech to activists.
The controversial Respect politician, who represents the Bradford West constituency, made the comments in Leeds earlier this month. A former Labour politician, Galloway is known for his left-wing and pro-Palestinian views.
He was interviewed under caution in London by detectives from West Yorkshire Police. The Yorkshire Post newspaper reported Galloway as saying: “This is an absolute and despicable attempt to curb my freedom of speech by people who appear to be quite happy about the indiscriminate murder of Palestinians in Gaza.
“I won’t be silenced. I will keep speaking out against horrendous injustice.”
The Crown Prosecution Service will decide whether any charges should be made.
Chief Superintendent Paul Money said: "A 59-year-old man has been interviewed under caution voluntarily following complaints made about the content of a speech given in Leeds earlier this month.
"Once enquiries are completed the matter will be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for their consideration."
In a video of the speech, Galloway said: "We have declared Bradford an Israel-free zone. 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. We reject this illegal, barbarous, savage state that calls itself Israel - and you have to do the same."
www.aa.com.tr/en
