A REFORM candidate was today accused of “peddling anti-Semitic conspiracy theories” after claiming that Britain supported the creation of Israel in exchange for “cheap money” from “Jews”.
Frank Ward, who represents Nigel Farage’s party in Bassetlaw, Notts, told an event that the UK had pledged to support the establishment of a Jewish state to help finance the First World War.
He claimed that the supposed promise to give Israel land in the Middle East violated a similar agreement given to the Palestinians.
The former Labor Party member of 45 years told a hearing last week: “The UK government would do well to honor a promise made to the Palestinians in the First World War.
“In return for their contribution to the fight against Germany, the British government would help them establish a Palestinian state.
“A similar promise was previously made to the Jews, promising an Israeli state in exchange for lending cheap money to help finance the war.
“Later, only the commitment to the Jews was honored.
“So it’s no wonder Palestinians are resentful and angry with Jews.”
Ward, 86, told The Sun he stood by the comments, adding: “I have nothing to be ashamed of.”
“I only ask that Palestinians be treated with the same level of equality.”
Asked if his comments were part of a conspiracy theory, he stated: “We borrowed the money, everything is correct in the story.
“Lloyd-George was the Prime Minister, he instructed James Arthur Balfour negotiates with Lord Rothschild to gain access to cheap money in exchange for founding a homeland in Palestine.
“And they made the same deal again with the Arabs and forgot about the Arabs in the future.
“And that’s where the anger and the complaints come from. It doesn’t come from anyone else. This is history.”
But asked whether the UK should get involved with the political wing of Hamas, which is a proscribed organisation, he said: “There are extremists in every field.
“There are extremists in the Jewish camp and extremists in the Palestinian camp.”
Ward said it was right that Hamas was a banned terrorist group in the UK, but declared: “There has to be a representative front that we can talk to, or there will never be peace.
“As much as I deplore what the military wing is doing, especially on October 7th, there has to be some kind of proportionate response from Israel.
Join The Sun live on election night for TWO Never Mind The Ballots specials
Voting day is almost here – and The Sun brings you TWO live election night episodes of Never Mind The Ballots.
Our political editor, Harry Cole, will host a star-studded panel of experts live from Sun HQ at 10.15pm on Thursday for instant reaction to the important exit poll.
And then we’ll be back at 8am on Friday to analyze the full results and fallout from the race for number 10.
Britain could wake up to a new prime minister on July 5 if Sir Keir Starmer proves the polls are correct and enters Downing Street.
But can Rishi Sunak do enough to deny the Labor leader a feared absolute majority and prevent a large-scale purge of the Tories?
For the best analysis, tune in to YouTube of the Sun page or thesun.co.uk. You will not want to miss it.
“Many, many people, including Israelis, are against what is happening right now in Gaza.”
His Conservative rival, Brendan Clarke-Smith, told The Sun: “It is outrageous that the Reformists are standing candidates who have not been vetted and peddle antisemitic conspiracy theories like this.
“These views have no place in Bassetlaw or anywhere else and the centre-right’s only credible choice is to vote Tory.
“It just goes to show that a vote for Reform is a vote for Labour.”
And the charity Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Frank Ward’s comments are absolutely appalling and, to make matters worse, he allegedly supports them.
“In asking if there is ‘any surprise that Palestinians are resentful and angry at Jews,’ Mr. Ward dropped any pretense by pretending to refer to Israeli politics.
“Mr Ward’s comments also come just days after our extensive dossier into the worrying online activity of some of Reform UK’s parliamentary candidates.
“Reform needs to urgently look at these comments and say whether they support it.”
The reform has been approached for comment.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
