'What are you by the way? You're sort of brown': Blunt Miriam Margolyes leaves Australian talk show host speechless during Israel and Gaza ceasefire debate

Miriam Margolyes left an Australian talk show host speechless today after pointedly asking him 'what are you by the way?' as the pair discussed the war between Israel and Palestine.

Waleed Aly, host of Australian Channel 10's current affairs show The Project, found himself momentarily at a loss for words during today's episode when the British-Australian actress derailed a discussion on Gaza with the out-of-the-blue question.

Margolyes, who is Jewish, emphatically called for an immediate ceasefire - a statement that appeared to resonate with the studio audience.

'Ceasefire now,' she demanded. 'Whether you're black or white, it doesn't matter.'

She then turned to Aly and asked bluntly: 'What are you by the way? You're sort of brown!'

Aly appeared visibly taken aback, but moments later lowered his head and chuckled. 

'This is a really interesting question actually,' he replied. 'I've thought about this a lot. I'm not joking about that… I'm Egyptian.'  

'Oh really,' replied Margolyes, prompting laughter from the audience. 

'I like the Egyptian people. I'm on the side of the Palestinians. I have to tell you that now. Being Jewish, we always have to say what we are. Are we for Israel or are we against Israel. I'm only for humanity,' she added, before repeating: 'Ceasefire'. 

The Project host Waleed Aly found himself momentarily at a loss for words during Thursday's episode, thanks to a brazen line of questioning from Miriam Margolyes (pictured)  

Waleed Aly, host of Australian Channel 10's current affairs show 'The Project', found himself momentarily at a loss for words 

Aly appeared visibly taken aback, but moments later lowered his head in a chuckle

Aly is a seasoned journalist known for steering deep and often complex conversations, and earned a PhD for research on global terrorism. 

Both of his parents are Egyptian but he was born and raised in Australia.

The veteran presenter light-heartedly acknowledged the unexpected turn after being caught off-guard. 

'Well I think it's safe to say that conversation did not go as predicted!' he said to a chuckling audience.

Margolyes, never one to mince her words, simply retorted with characteristic bluntness: 'Who the hell cares. It's important!' 

Margolyes' appearance on the Channel 10 show was well received, with viewers taking to social media to laud her humour, calling for her to return to the show.