Israel lobbyists hit back over Warsi claims

Israel lobbyists have reacted to Baroness Warsi’s taunts by personally attacking the former minister following her resignation over Gaza.

Gavin Stollar, chairman of Lib Dem Friends of Israel, hit back after the former Foreign Office minister (pictured) said: “I congratulate the Friends of Israel and those lobbying on behalf of Israel because they are incredibly effective.”

She added: “I don’t blame the lobby, I blame the politicians. If you are not capable of deciphering between lobbying and fact, and if we are incapable of politicians to see both sides of the argument, then that’s a fault that we have.”

While the Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) and Labour Friends of Israel (LFI) declined to comment, Stollar said: “Baroness Warsi’s suggestion that Israel’s UK advocates do not deal in ‘facts’ is scurrilous in the extreme.”

He added: “Her failure to demonstrate an understanding the facts of this conflict say more about her than a cynical headline grabbing resignation.”