International Shia News Agency

Nytimes.com/George Galloway, British Lawmaker, Is Released From Hospital After Attack

SHAFAQNA – George Galloway, a member of the British Parliament known for his vocal criticism of Israel, was released from a hospital on Saturday after being treated for injuries suffered when an assailant attacked him on the streets of London.

The attack, which took place late Friday, followed comments made by Mr. Galloway earlier this month in which he declared Bradford — a city in northern England — an “Israel-free zone.”

The suspect shouted the words “Holocaust” and “Hitler” during the attack, according to Mr. Galloway’s spokesman.

“This was clearly related to George’s comments towards Israel,” the spokesman added.

A spokesman for the British police confirmed that officers had been called to the scene in central London, and that the suspect, Neil Masterson, 39, had been charged with religiously aggravated assault. He is expected to appear in a London court on Monday.

Mr. Galloway suffered severe bruising but no broken bones, and was discharged from the hospital on Saturday, according to his spokesman.

Mr. Galloway, a firebrand politician, has been a vocal opponent of Israel during its recent war against Hamas militants in Gaza.

Earlier this month, the British police said they were investigating comments made by Mr. Galloway after several people complained about a speech he had made.

“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 college; we don’t even want any Israeli tourists to come to Bradford,” Mr. Galloway said in the speech.

This is not the first time that Mr. Galloway has been attacked because of his controversial statements.

In 2008, he was injured when someone threw a rubber stress ball at him while Mr. Galloway was campaigning. A protester also tried to throw eggs at Mr. Galloway after he won an election in 2012.

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