Palin accuses critics of ‘blood libel’ by blaming her for shootings

PROMINENT Republican Sarah Palin yesterday accused critics of “blood libel” by blaming her rhetoric for contributing to the shooting rampage in Tucson that killed six and wounded 14, including Democratic Representative Gabrielle Giffords.

“Acts of monstrous criminality stand on their own. They begin and end with the criminals who commit them,” the conservative Tea Party favourite and former Alaska governor said in her first major response to critics.

“Especially within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn. That is reprehensible.”