George Galloway (Photo: Reuters)
A man has been officially charged with “religiously-aggravated assault” on UK Member of Parliament George Galloway in London.
Neil Masterson, 39, will appear at Hammersmith Magistrates Court on Monday, the British Police has said.
The Respect Party MP was posing for pictures in Golborne Road, Notting Hill, when he was violently attacked Friday evening.
The controversial politician reportedly suffered severe bruising to his head and had some ribs broken.
According to Galloway's spokesman, the MP was attacked by a man who shouted a remark about the Holocaust before punching the MP.
"It appears to be connected with his comments about Israel, because the guy was shouting about the Holocaust,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Galloway is well-known supporter for Palestine and an anti-Israel activist.
Two years ago, Galloway described Zionism as "blasphemy against Judaism and against God" while he praised the Palestinian Movement of Islamic Resistance, Hamas.
Galloway was interviewed under caution last month by the police after he made a speech in Leeds in which he said Bradford — his constituency — was an “Israel-free zone” where Israeli tourists were unwelcome.
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