John Oliver’s comment on Israel-Gaza conflict have struck a chord with many as the format for his show Last Week Tonight was changed due to the ongoing conflict in the region.
Sunak rejects demand
It comes as today, Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader at Westminster, says he hopes MPs all share the common humanity that says civilians should be protected.
“Will Sunak back the SNP and call for an immediate ceasefire in the region?” he asked at today’s PMQs
Sunak replied to say the government thinks Israel has a right to defend itself. ‘It will urge Israel to take every precaution to avoid harm to civilians,” he replied.
John Oliver Israel-Gaza
Oliver told viewers: “The show hasn’t started yet. I mean, clearly it started a little bit, I’m already talking to you. But before the music and the lights, and at least theoretically, the laughter, I wanted to briefly talk to you about what has clearly been a terrible week.”
He added: “The immense suffering in Israel and Gaza has been sickening to watch and we’re not going to be covering it in the main body of our show tonight for a couple of reasons.
“First, it’s horrific. I don’t really want to tell jokes about carnage right now. And I’m pretty sure that you don’t want to hear them.
“And second, we’re taping this on Saturday afternoon. And you’ll be watching it Sunday night or Monday morning through an illegal VPN, I do know who I am talking to.”
He also said: ““Whatever thoughts you have about the history of this region or the current state of affairs, it should be impossible to see grieving families and not be moved. So there’s been sorrow this week, a lot of it and also fear – understandable fear of further attacks in Israel and for those taken hostage and fear of what is to come in Gaza, as Israel’s leaders seem intent on embarking on a relentless bombing campaign, mass displacement and a potential ground invasion.”
Let down
Both Israelis and Palestinians “have been let down by their leadership time and time again”, said Oliver. “And I don’t have a great deal of faith in the leaders currently in charge to steer us toward peace.”
He then added: “People want & are entitled to peace, but I’m not going to tell either side how to get it, certainly not in this accent, which has done enough damage in that particular region to last a f*cking lifetime.”
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