In a British Commons debate Gerald Kaufman, a veteran Labour MP who is Britain's most prominent Jewish parliamentarian, launched a ferocious attack on Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, denouncing him as a "war criminal". Kaufman said Sharon had "ordered his troops to use methods of barbarism against the Palestinians". Expressing fear that something dreadful had happened in Jenin, he said: "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." With the Israeli army still blocking full access to Jenin it is impossible to establish even a rough body count.