LONDON (JTA) -- A senior British diplomat was arrested following a complaint about anti-Semitic remarks he made while working out.

Rowan Laxton, the head of the South Asia Group at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, was watching television reports on Israel's military action in Gaza while using an exercise bike at a London gym.

According to the Daily Mail, staff and other gym members allegedly heard him shout "f***ing Israelis, f***ing Jews," as well as that Israeli soldiers should be "wiped off the face of the earth."

Scotland Yard spokesman said a 47-year-old man was arrested in connection with an incident on Jan. 27 following a complaint received by police from a member of the public...

...Laxton served in the Middle East and is considered an expert on the area...

British lawmakers condemned the Al Jazeera network for broadcasting a Muslim cleric's sermon in which he celebrates the Holocaust and prays for the killing of all Jews.

Sheik Yusuf al-Quaradawi, who hosts the popular program "Shariah and Life" on the Arabic language international news network, described the Holocaust as "divine punishment" and prayed to Allah to kill Jews "down to the very last one."

The Muslim cleric, 82, who is no stranger to controversy, said in his sermon, "The last punishment was carried out by Hitler." He went on to say that "This was divine punishment for them. Allah willing, the next time will be at the hand of the believers."...