"Tonge simply acknowledged that the intolerable daily suffering of the Palestinians, which she has seen first-hand, can lead to the hopelessness and anger that may push someone to become a suicide bomber. This is not a show of support for suicide bombings, and she has said so publicly," said AMW director Sharif Hikmat Nashashibi.

"Dr. Tonge was not trying to elicit sympathy for suicide bombers. She was attempting to explain their actions, for without understanding there can be no hope of achieving peace and justice in the Middle East," said AMW executive committee member Georgina Baidoun in a letter published in the Daily Mirror on January 26.

"Therefore," added Nashashibi, "her sacking sends out the message that Kennedy is unwilling to even recognise the plight of the Palestinians, let alone speak out against it. Which is the worse offense?"

Please show Kennedy your support for a brave MP who has dared to speak out. You may even like to suggest that he sees for himself the suffering to which he seems indifferent.