Police have begun an investigation after Respect MP George Galloway declared that Bradford is "an Israel-free zone".

In a speech which has caused an outcry on social media, the veteran politician states Israelis are not welcome in the city where he has a constituency.

West Yorkshire Police said it was investigating his comments.

A force spokesman said: "We have received two separate complaints about comments attributed to George Galloway MP during a speech he gave at a public meeting in Leeds on August 2. We are currently investigating the complaints."

In one part of his speech which can be seen online, Mr Galloway said: "We have declared Bradford an Israel-free zone.

"We don't want any Israeli goods. We don't want any Israeli services.

"We don't want any Israeli academics coming to the university or college.

"We don't even want any Israeli tourists to come to Bradford even if any of them had thought of doing so.

"We reject this illegal, barbarous, savage state that calls itself Israel. And you have to do the same."

Mr Galloway was filmed in front of the Palestinian flag.

David Ward, Lib Dem MP for Bradford East and a campaigner against the Israeli government's policy on Gaza, said Mr Galloway had made a "schoolboy error".

Mr Ward said "of course" Israelis were welcome in Bradford.

"Our complaint is not with Jews, it is not with Israelis, it is with Israel and those who support the state of Israel.

"It is quite dangerous talk, because the danger is of course that anybody from a Jewish background - because people will not necessarily differentiate - is then subject to abuse and anti-Semitic acts.

"It's a schoolboy error from someone who really should know better."

Mr Ward said Mr Galloway had a long and in-depth knowledge of Palestinian-Israeli conflict, adding: "I applaud much of the work he has done over many years on the issue.

"But I am interested in a serious campaign to bring about change."

Mr Ward said there were now more than 75,000 signatures on a petition calling for a boycott of Israel and sanctions if the "military operations which endanger civilians in Gaza" do not cease.

"This is a proper campaign," he said. "I'm not interested in a throwaway remark."