Fiona Bruce stunned after audience member brands IDF \u2018terrorists\u2019<\/h3>\n

Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce<\/span> was left stunned after an audience member described the Israeli military as terrorist.<\/p>\n

The BBC star was chairing a debate about whether the British Government should call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The ceasefire, which was set to expire on Monday (November 27), has paused the deadliest fighting between Israel and Palestinians in decades.<\/p>\n

Since the programme first aired, Israeli fighter jets have fired on Hamas targets as the week-long truce came to a violent end on Friday (December 1).<\/p>\n

Responding to Bruce’s call for a final point from among the Question Time<\/span> audience in a ceasefire debate, a man asked why politicians always talk about Israel’s right to defend itself, but “never” assert the same for the Palestinians. He said: “Why is our Government standing behind Israel?<\/p>\n

“Hamas, I believe, are a terrorist organisation. So is IDF (Israel Defense Forces), but full support is given to them.”<\/p>\n

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Bruce then interrupted the questioner, wagging a finger and saying: “You’re calling the Israeli Defence Force (sic) – their national army – you’re calling it a terrorist organisation? There are a lot of people that would take great offence at that.”<\/p>\n

The man stood by his claim, insisting the IDF were operating in the same way as Hamas. He said: “If you look at the proportion of the people killed on the seventh (of October when Hamas gunmen attacked Israel), the last 75 years – I do not defend Hamas. I am not part of them. Never have I defended any person killing anybody.”<\/p>\n

He continued: “The Palestinian people, they have the right to defend (themselves).” The member of the audience then agreed with Bruce who characterised as a double standard his accusation against British politicians and sections of the media.<\/p>\n

Veteran journalist and broadcaster Andrew Neill responded to the question, telling the audience in Doncaster governments can call for a ceasefire all they want, but it wouldn’t make any difference.<\/p>\n

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Neil said: “There is no military solution to this and there is no political solution either. The two state scenario is dead. I used to support it – it’s dead.”<\/p>\n

Pushed by Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran to outline the alternative, Neil said there isn’t one. He added: “That’s the problem. Not every problem has a solution. Sometimes things have to play out in the most horrific way.”<\/p>\n

He explained that the Palestinians in Gaza had elected Hamas, and that the organisation which is proscribed as terrorist in the UK, is re-grouping and “can’t wait” to carry out another October 7-style attack again.<\/p>\n

Israel has vowed to resume the war in an effort to end Hamas’ 16-year rule of Gaza, but it is facing mounting international pressure to extend the truce and spare southern Gaza a devastating ground offensive similar to the one that has demolished much of the north.<\/p>\n

Roughly 240 hostages were captured by Hamas in its October 7 attack in southern Israel which ignited the war. More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in Gaza. About 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, mostly during the initial incursion by Hamas.<\/p>\n

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  Neil argued a two state solution would not be possible with Hamas in control of Gaza and a gerontocracy in charge of the West Bank. Minister of State without Portfolio, Esther McVey<\/span> replied: “We cannot give up hope.”<\/p>\n

  The Scottish journalist then pointed to gunmen opening fire on people waiting for buses where a main highway from Tel Aviv enters Jerusalem, killing at least three people and wounding several others. Israeli police said the two attackers were killed.<\/p>\n

  He also pointed to Hamas killing an autistic Israeli girl and another girl with cerebral palsy who had been kept hostage in Gaza. Neil then said: “How you can deal or have a political solution with that when the purpose of Hamas is the destruction of Israel.<\/p>\n

  “Israel is often its own worst enemy and we’ve seen that… When you’re up against basically a Nazi-type regime that is out to destroy you, because you’re Jewish, that’s why they want to destroy you… How can you deal with people like that?”<\/p>\n

  Shadow Environment Secretary Steve Reed insisted any problem created by human beings can be fixed by human beings. He added: “We cannot give up hope for the Israelis and the Palestinians.”<\/p>\n

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