POLICE are investigating two complaints after Bradford West MP George Galloway apparently told a political meeting he had declared the city 'an Israel free' zone.

Film of Mr Galloway apparently speaking at a meeting of his Respect party in Leeds contained comments that he did not want to see Israeli academics or tourists in the city, or the use of Israeli goods.

He made similar comments in Bradford last month when he appeared at a city centre rally organised as a protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza. On that occasion he also called for Bradford's politicians to 'twin' with Gaza.

West Yorkshire Police Force has now confirmed it has had two complaints about the comments, but it is not clear whether they are from people who witnessed the speech or have seen the Youtube footage.

A police 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 2nd August 2014. We are currently investigating the complaints."

Nigel Grizzard, a commentator on Jewish affairs, said: "George Galloway is a very extreme politician and these are very extreme remarks which are not helpful in any shape or form.

"There have always been good relationships between all communities in Bradford. It is a very tolerant city."

Israeli tourists with an interest in textiles visited Bradford, he said, "Whether they will want to come now is a different matter."

Mr Galloway said there was wide-spread support for the scale of military action taken in Gaza and added: "Bradford is the centre of peace studies, why on Earth would you want those people here?"

He said he could not comment on the police investigation until he knew further details of the nature of the complaints.

Mr Galloway made similar comments that Bradford should be an 'Israel free zone' after he was invited to speak at a rally in City Park last month.

At that event he also called on other city MPs and councillors to 'twin' with Gaza, though Bradford Council leader David Green later suggested that any move to twin with communities in that region should involve both Gaza and Israel. The process would have to go through normal council procedures.

Mr Galloway has supported the Palestinian cause for decades.