The Times Uk: If you don't speak out on Gaza you're almost complicit, says Lineker

[Dennis Donovan]

The Times Uk - If you don’t speak out on Gaza you’re almost complicit, says Lineker

The BBC presenter said he felt he had to have his say on Binyamin Netanyahu and the ‘disproportionate’ response to October 7 attacks

Alex Farber, Media Correspondent
Thursday May 15 2025, 2.40pm BST, The Times



Gary Lineker said that his issues are with the Israeli government rather than Jewish people days before he shared an antisemitic message on social media.

The BBC’s outgoing Match of the Day presenter criticised the actions of Binyamin Netanyahu in Gaza as “completely out of proportion” to the October 7 attacks, in an interview at the Football Business Awards on Friday.

Several days later he was accused of antisemitism after he shared a pro-Palestinian message featuring a rat emoji on social media.

Lineker, 64, deleted the post and apologised but it sparked a furore among Jewish groups and BBC staff members who have called for him to be sacked.

/snip/

“Yes, Israelis have a right to defend themselves. But it appears that Palestinians don’t — and that is where it’s wrong. Palestinians are caged in this outdoor prison in Gaza, and now it’s an outdoor prison that they’re bombing.”

/snip

[Mosby]

1. He gives little hints about his thought process

He thinks that Israel defending itself from the war Hamas started is about vengance not defense: "I understand that they needed to avenge but I don’t think they’ve helped their own hostage situation at all." He also believes that one should negotiate with terrorists who are holding hostages.

He also believes that the occupation is illegal (it isn't) so it follows that he thinks it's as simple as opening borders and leaving the West Bank. So for him all these "massive problems" are caused solely by Israel and their refusal to allow for a Palestinian country.

This is the end result of decades of propaganda. It's been very effective.

[Beastly Boy]

2. Mr. Leneker may be surprised to learn that the Palestinians have no right to murder, rape, mutilate and take hostages in

self-defense.

And a few months in a Hamas prison may be a good lesson for him to learn what prison really is.