Sunak and Herzog - live now on BBC

How many civilians of hostile nations do you think the UK and its allies killed before the last world war was over? It is possible to feel relief that your side wins a conflict whether it’s regional or global without downplaying the terrible price paid by civilians as ‘collateral damage’.

He does sound keen on opening up aid:

""The prime minister thanked Prime Minister Netanyahu for his support for the British nationals who have been taken by Hamas and both leaders agreed to work closely together to secure their freedom.

"The prime minister welcomed Prime Minister Netanyahu's announcement yesterday on opening up aid access to Gaza. He emphasised the importance of establishing sustained access to get more vital food, water, medicine and fuel into Gaza and to enable British nationals trapped there to leave."

This sounds promising and I am delighted with his stance.

Should you need it, ie in a time of threat or war
not peace, who would you rely on to help you defend those Christian values?

I really don't know how he can say that. Israel cut off water, energy and food to the civilian population. They have been blocking humanitarian aid. That's enough to harm civilians before you even take into account the 'collateral damage' when Israel bombs buildings it claims were hosting Hamas. Sunak is just proving what again he is a lightweight with no integrity.

Hamas is responsible for its citizens. If anyone sees the plight of the Gazan people as collateral damage it’s Hamas.

Hamas could bring the suffering of its people to a close much sooner by returning the toddlers and grandparents and other hostages but they won’t.

Indeed. I thought these words were very heartwarming:
"Speaking as he arrived at the airport, Rishi Sunak said: "I'm here to express my solidarity with the Israeli people.
"You have suffered an unspeakable, horrific act of terrorism and I want you to know that the United Kingdom, and I, stand with you...."and
"He added that he knew Israel was "taking every precaution to avoid harming civilians - in contrast to the terrorists of Hamas".

I'm a Christian, I'm not going to regard anyone as collateral damage.

So they're to be regarded as collateral damage?

We join with our allies on this as should we need it each one on mn would be grateful for that allegiance in return

I also hope Israel’s population doesn’t get drawn into something bigger but Netanyahu seems hellbent on making as many enemies as he possibly can.

It’s simply not possible to support the Palestinian people without holding Hamas responsible.

Yes. Because they were neutral. They didn’t officially support one side more than the other. Unlike most of the Allies Ireland was colonised rather than a coloniser. WW1 was not their war and having recently gained independence and been through a civil war they tried to officially stay out of WW2 also. But many Irish people fought or nursed on the Allied frontlines.

Never thought I’d have an occasion to type this but it did feel like Rishi spoke for me when he voiced support for Israel’s defensive actions within the confines of international law. I felt physical relief through my whole body. Lately it seems like so many people have forgotten why the state of Israel exists, and how tiny and alone it is, surrounded by enemies.

The alternative to Israel winning this conflict is unthinkable. I just hope and pray it happens sooner rather than later.

Churchill’s policies deliberately and needlessly starved millions of people, including children, and there are still people who revere him. Those famine victims were not launching rockets into England daily, they were no threat at all.

Um, people who support the Palestinian civilians in Gaza are not supporting Hamas. I've only pointed this out about 12 thousand times on these boards. It's a sign of perversity not to comprehend this - or is that deliberate.

We all know that Hamas are utter monsters, but the Palestinian people deserve better than to be killed, wiped out, written off due to what their leaders are doing. They're victims as much as the Israelis who were killed and kidnapped.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/dec/31/secondworldwar.ireland

Because often decent people choose to support or criticise an action based not upon how much they would like to live with the people doing it, but upon whether the action itself is appropriate or not.

I think you know very little about this topic.

For example do you know how many Irish men fought for the British Army during WW2 and how many Irish nurses worked in British field hospitals?

Let's talk about your values then. You think IDF is somehow managing to give a free pass to women and gays in Gaza? Or you think if a population as a whole is oppressed then women and gays prosper?

Or your values say that one sided bombing and starving people who cannot defend themselves is legitimate and not a war crime?

Where do your values go when you fill up your car with the petrol that comes from the middle east or do you check country of origin and make it a point not to use any energy companies getting fuel from middle east?

Women and gay rights prosper when a country as a whole prospers and progresses. Please don't hide your racism as support for women and gay rights.

Yes to absolutely all of this.

I wish the PM wouldn't claim to speak for the UK and say we are behind Israeli actions. I don't know how many people agree with him but it isn't 100% of UK.

I am not on the side of the Israeli government or of Hamas. I am on the side of the Jewish and Palestinian people and their right to peace. Not the warmongering leaders.

I’d take aligning with who we do over Corbyn’s version.

Whilst people may rail against the West our freedoms are mostly appreciated and if we had to rely on allies most would be relieved.

As much as some would throw that away (in posts probably not reality) I doubt they can count on the ME returning the favour.

As pp said pretty dangerous thinking.

Well yes I totally understand your point, never in a million years would my values align with the crooks and idiots that have been in charge of the UK the last 13 years. Trouble is it feels like Rishi is speaking on behalf of the British people - bloody doesnt speak for me! lets face it, Rishi isnt even an elected prime minister.

The actions of most governments don’t align fully with my personal values, but the world is not exactly awash with great choices these days.

In terms of picking sides I always think of the governments rather than their citizens. It should go without saying that Israelis are not Bibi anymore than Brits are Rishi or Palestinians are whoever currently leads Hamas.

Not taking about the Israeli govt but the people. But even the govt aligns more work my valise ghan Hamas does - they are Nazis.