Gary Lineker, one of the BBC’s most prominent and recognizable presenters, was fired in recent days after sharing a pro-Palestinian post on Instagram. The post featured an illustration of a rat — an image widely regarded as antisemitic.
An Antisemitic Post
Lineker, who was considered one of the BBC’s most senior commentators and its highest-paid presenter, shared an Instagram post from the group “Palestine Lobby” titled: “Zionism Explained in Two Minutes.”
Having looked the other way until now, at this point, it is clear that Gary Lineker’s continued association with the @BBC is untenable.
He must go.
Mr Lineker really has the worst luck when it comes to campaigning for his causes without aligning himself with extremists and… pic.twitter.com/0aYTtOlFHH
— Campaign Against Antisemitism (@antisemitism) May 13, 2025
The post triggered widespread outrage due to its use of the rat image, which has long been associated with antisemitic propaganda. In response to the backlash, Lineker deleted the post and apologized — but the BBC decided that wasn’t enough and chose to terminate his contract.
Lineker Apologizes, but the BBC Stands Firm
After allegedly learning of the antisemitic implications of the image, Lineker expressed regret and said he had not understood the symbol’s meaning. He removed the post as soon as he realized its context. However, BBC Director-General Tim Davie addressed the controversy, saying: “The BBC’s reputation is a shared responsibility, and when someone makes a mistake — we all pay the price.”
This is not the first time Lineker has stirred public controversy. In March 2023, he was temporarily suspended from the network after tweeting a comparison between the British government’s asylum policy and the rhetoric of Nazi Germany. He also previously deleted a tweet calling for Israel to be banned from international football, following harsh criticism from Members of Parliament.
