appalling

The Irish broadcaster, RTÉ, said that Ireland's participation in the event "would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza".

One of its experts Graeme Stuart said: "To deliberately put children and schools in the firing line, is indefensible. Frankly, it is appalling."

Holding hostages in appalling conditions and threatening their lives is also a crime.

"The conflict in Gaza has had an appalling impact on education, with many children entirely unable to access schooling," foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said.

A spokesperson for Khan told the BBC: "We are not going to dignify his appalling and bigoted comments with a response."