TWO Westminster MPs were criticised for their not using the term ethnic cleansing when discussing Donald Trump's comments on BBC Politics Live.
Labour MP for Peterbourgh Andrew Pakes and shadow treasury minister Gareth Davies were both criticised by Novara Media's senior editor Ash Sarkar, who said it was like watching "two of the three monkey's" branding the pair "see no evil" and "hear no evil".
The show on Wednesday morning started by discussing Trump's plans for ethnic cleansing in Gaza, where he said the US would “take over” the region and “own it”.
Pakes was asked if he wanted to hear Keir Starmer to condemn the comments. He said he wanted the UK Government to set out a "clear position", and support Palestinians to return home.
Davies said he agreed with Pakes, that the priority was to see "the hostages come home", and have aid to go into Gaza. Addressing Trump, he said it wasn't for "one country to dictate" but that the UK should "look at all proposals".
Sarkar responded to the pair, and said: "It's like we've got two of the three monkey's. You've got see no evil, we've got hear no evil. Neither one of you are using the words which are relevant to this proposal, which are, what is on the table is ethnic cleansing.
"When you are talking about the permanent resettlement of an entire ethnic group, from the place they call home, that's called ethnic cleansing."
She added: "Instead, it's, 'ooo, what about the hostages?', 'ooo, what about investment?'
"I'm sorry, it's like Westminster is on the slow train and you're not keeping up."
Later, Davies responded to Sarkar, saying: "I make no apology whatsoever for bringing up the need to release the hostages, that is what a sustainable resolution looks like.
"There are still men, women, and very, little children disgracefully being held in Gaza by Hamas, with no sign of release, and that is absolutely abhorrent."
The Tory MP went on to say the conflict started on October 7, which Sarkar further criticised: "Factually, just factually, it didn't start on October 7.
"Before October 7 occurred, it had been one of the deadliest years for Palestinians in their history at the hands of Israeli security."
The US President had told a joint press conference held with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that “the only reason the Palestinians want to go back to Gaza is they have no alternative”.
The UK Government has been urged to condemn comments, however Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the US president “is right” that the region lies in ruins.
