BBC’s Gary Lineker sparks fresh impartiality row by sharing video which accuses Israel of committing ‘textbook genocide’ in Gaza

BBC star Gary Lineker sparked a fresh impartiality row last night after sharing a video which accused Israel of committing ‘textbook genocide’ in Gaza.

The Match of the Day presenter endorsed a 13-minute clip which showed journalist Owen Jones interviewing Israeli-American historian Raz Segal about the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

In the video, Prof Segal criticises the IDF’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip in the wake of Hamas’ sickening terror attacks on October 7, which saw more than 1,400 civilians in Israel massacred.

He tells Jones: ‘I do think that what we’re seeing in front of our eyes is a textbook case of genocide.’

Lineker shared the video on his X page, along with the caption: ‘Worth 13 minutes of anyone’s time.’

The post has sparked fury, with Jewish Chronicle editor Stephen Pollard accusing the ex-England star of ‘universe-bending ignorance’. Conservative MP for Buckingham Greg Smith added: ‘It is inconceivable any right-minded person would give that video the time of day.’

Gary Lineker (pictured) has sparked a fresh impartiality row by sharing a video which accuses Israel of committing ‘textbook genocide’ in Gaza

The video, by journalist Owen Jones (left), features academic Raz Segal (right) who accuses Israel of ‘genocide’ and disregards comparisons between Hamas and the Nazis

Lineker reposted the video alongside the caption: ‘Worth 13 minutes of anyone’s time’ 

Lineker had already called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, showing support for the pro-Palestinian protesters who held a demonstration in London on Armistice Day. 

In the video, Prof Segal criticises the Israeli military response to the brutal October 7 attacks carried out by Hamas. 

He also dismissed comparisons between Hamas and the Nazis, claiming the abuse endured by Jews during the Second World War had a ‘very different context’ from ‘Palestinians… [living] for decades under Israeli settler colonial rule’. 

Prof Segal is an associate professor of the Holocaust and genocide studies at Stockton University. 

In the video, Professor Segal can be heard criticising the Israeli military response to the brutal October 7 attacks carried out by Hamas

In March Lineker temporarily stopped hosting popular show Match of the Day after he likened language used by then Home Secretary Suella Braverman to ‘Germany in the 30s’. 

Lineker later vowed he would continue sharing his political opinions on social media despite the backlash he had received.  

MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment.  

Source: Read Full Article