Sharon 'a war criminal' says MP

Israeli leader Ariel Sharon has been branded a "war criminal" and a "fool" by former Labour minister Gerald Kaufman.
In a blistering attack, the veteran MP, who is Jewish, said Mr Sharon had reduced his country to an "international pariah" whose actions were staining the Star of David with blood.

Mr Kaufman was speaking in a Commons debate on the crisis in the Middle East in which he also condemned Palestinian suicide bombers as "mass murderers".

Earlier MPs had heard Foreign Secretary Jack Straw say that the prospect of peace in the Middle East was "hanging by a thread".

In his speech Mr Kaufman said: "Sharon has ordered his troops to use methods of barbarism against the Palestinians.

"It is time to remind Sharon that the Star of David belongs to all Jews and not to his repulsive government.

"His actions are staining the Star of David with blood."