You know, they don't actually check the address or name you put in when registering for a nectar card. Imagine what would happen if enough people accidentally put the wrong details in there - I can't imagine the data would be worth as much if it's mostly nonsense.
I think the best you can say he didn't do it on purpose. He clearly had a soundbite ('Isreal has a right to defend itself within international law'), but maybe he didn't actually listen to the question before using it?
Honestly, I think an apology will be on the way. I think he tried to "soundbite" himself through an interview without really listening to the question or thinking about how it sounded.
At some point though, surely humanity and justice have to take precedence over politicking - I don't think the need to tiptoe around issues like that is a good enough reason for excusing the collective punishment of 2 million people.
You know, they don't actually check the address or name you put in when registering for a nectar card. Imagine what would happen if enough people accidentally put the wrong details in there - I can't imagine the data would be worth as much if it's mostly nonsense.