BBC star Gary Lineker apologizes for sharing antisemitic content on Instagram 

Gary Lineker, the BBC’s highest-paid presenter and one of Britain’s most prominent media personalities, issued a full apology Wednesday after sharing a video on Instagram containing antisemitic imagery related to Zionism, according to The Washington Post.

The video, originally produced by the group Palestine Lobby and titled “Zionism explained in two minutes,” featured a rat, a longtime antisemitic symbol used in Nazi propaganda, alongside anti-Zionist messaging. Lineker reposted the video earlier this week, prompting swift backlash.

“I reposted material which I’ve since learned contained offensive references,” Lineker said in a statement. “I withdrew the post as soon as I became aware of the issue, and I take full responsibility for this mistake. I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic, it goes against everything I believe in.”

Critics, however, noted that this was not the first time Lineker has drawn fire for content related to Israel or Jewish issues. The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) called for his removal from the BBC, accusing him of a “pattern of hostility” toward Jews and the Jewish state. “Mr. Lineker’s continued association with the BBC is untenable. He must go,” a CAA spokesperson said.

Lineker, 64, is set to step down from hosting the BBC’s “Match of the Day” later this month but has recently extended his role covering the FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup. He also co-runs the popular podcast production company Goalhanger, which produces top-charting shows such as The Rest is History and The Rest is Politics.

Before Lineker’s apology, BBC Director-General Tim Davie acknowledged the controversy, stating, “Our reputation is held by everyone, and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us. We need people to be exemplars of BBC values and follow our social media policies.”

Lineker has previously clashed with BBC guidelines. In March 2023, he was suspended after comparing the UK government’s immigration policy to Nazi-era language. In February 2024, he signed a letter urging the BBC to air a Gaza documentary later found to feature the child of a senior Hamas official as its narrator.

“Whilst I strongly believe in the importance of speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza,” Lineker added, “I also know that how we do so matters.”

Brendan O’Neill, columnist at The Spectator, condemned Lineker’s latest move as “another level of double standard,” accusing the star of turning moral causes into political weapons.