'Put Ahmadinejad on trial' pleads MP

LABOUR MP Denis MacShane this week called for Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to be put on trial, writes JERRY LEWIS.

Mr MacShane, a former chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group against Antisemitism, said that Ahmadinejad should face court for his incitement of the Jewish people.

And he pressed Foreign Secretary William Hague over Iran's continuing demands for Israel to be wiped off the map.

But Mr Hague said he concentrating on the call for sanctions against Iran.

Meanwhile, Mr Hague led appeals from MPs to secure the release of missing Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

"It is despicable that, four years on, he should still be held by Hamas in denial of the most basic of human rights," he said.

Shalit was taken hostage by Arab terrorists Hamas in June, 2006.

During Foreign Office questions ministers came under fire from pro-Palestinian MPs who complained about Israel's policies on a range of issues including Jerusalem and the so-called settlements.

But former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind reminded MPs that the concept of land-swap of Israeli territory for Palestinian territory is alive and would from a significant part of a potential solution outside of east Jerusalem.

The point was accepted by Middle East minister Alistair Burt who said that the draft agreement between the two sides was already well known.

Labour MP Linda Riordan challenged the Foreign Secretary over Israel's enquiry into the flotilla incident, claiming that Israel's internal investigation was not acceptable as it was neither full, independent or international.

But Mr Hague said that he stuck by his original requests for what he termed a credible, independent, prompt and thorough enquiry.

Former Labour Friends of Israel chairman David Cairns said that much of the security guidance given to the Palestinians was based on that from British military officers and police officers.

He asked the Mr Hague to allow British involvement to help build up Palestinian institutions.

And Mr Hague said that much progress had already been made in the West Bank - and Britain would continue to support such activity.

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