So in essence, the only path to peace is a political solution hastened by a ceasefire but also the continuation of a reckless military campaign against a civillian population. Cool. This man knows his triangulation.Pragmatism over protest keeps you at the table-
Sir Keir says the war is "an issue that so many people recoil from out of despair", adding: "Anyone who has followed this closely [will have] seen images that can never be unseen... the innocent dead, Israeli, Palestinian, Muslin, Jew".
The Labour leader says the consequences of the conflict "could last for decades" and "the trauma may never fade" - but it is important to tackle the "ever darkening cloud of misinformation".
He describes the horrific terror attack in Israel of 7 October, saying: "Make no mistake, this is terrorism on a scale and brutality that few countries have ever experienced".
Sir Keir also outlines the "unimaginable scale" of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza
He says his approach has been "driven by the need to respond to both these tragedies", standing by the "right of self defence" for Israel and the "basic human rights of innocent Palestinians", and reiterating the desire for a two-state solution.
The Labour leader says he understands calls for a ceasefire but doesn't believe it is the "correct position" as it would leave Hamas with the "infrastructure and capability" to carry out another attack
Instead, he says a so-called humanitarian pause to let aid into Gaza is "the only credible approach that has any chance of achieving what we all want to see... urgent alleviating of Palestinian suffering".
He says the "facts on the ground will inevitably change" and "we must move to cessation of fighting as quickly as possible" as "neither the long term security of Israel nor long term justice for Palestine can be delivered by bombs and bullets" - adding a "political agreement, however unlikely that seems today... is the only way to resolve this conflict once and for all"
What happens after the pause for aid though I wonder? It's like being battered in the ring by Mike Tyson and the stopping for a minute so you can eat a Twix.