Thousands sign CAA petition demanding the BBC to cut ties with Gary Lineker

Campaign Against Antisemitism has launched a petition demanding that the BBC cuts ties with Gary Lineker after he shared an anti-Israel video.

The petition can be found here at actionnetwork.org/petitions/firelineker.

The post, which was shared on his Instagram account, has now been removed. The post contained an anti-Israel video which misrepresented Zionism and featured a rat emoji.

Yesterday, Mr Lineker issued an apology, saying: “It was an error on my part for which I apologise unreservedly.”

He also said: “I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic. It goes against everything I believe in.”

The petition can be found here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/firelineker.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Gary Lineker is playing the public for fools by pretending to be one. He claims to want to spread awareness about events in the Middle East but also claims to be so ignorant as to be unaware of the dehumanising connotations of a rat symbol.

“Such aloofness and reckless indifference would be appalling from any public figure, but Mr Lineker is the BBC’s number one star, and has built himself a media empire that gives him immense influence. That comes with an accountability that Mr Lineker has repeatedly refused to accept. Mr Lineker has had too many chances to act with greater responsibility. The time has passed for him to apologise. The BBC must remove him now.

“Frankly, the fact that he is still there is a sign of a much deeper rot and culture of impunity at the BBC, which has only emboldened people like Mr Lineker, allowed bigots to become journalists and influencers, and even led to the BBC’s humiliating admission that it sent money to the family of a Hamas official. That rot will only end when firm action is taken and an example made of those who are turning our national broadcaster into a national embarrassment.”