In a recent episode of Mehdi Hasan’s program “Mehdi Unfiltered,” Gary Lineker, the renowned Match of the Day host, sparked outrage by referring to the October 7 terror attacks as “the Hamas thing.” His remarks drew fierce criticism from TalkTV host Julia Hartley-Brewer, who launched a scathing tirade against Lineker’s perceived dismissive tone as reported by BBC News.
During the interview, Lineker expressed his dismay at the constant images of children losing their lives in the conflict. However, his use of the phrase “the Hamas thing” to describe the terror attacks provoked strong reactions from viewers, including Hartley-Brewer, who condemned Lineker’s language as trivializing the severity of the situation
Hartley-Brewer vehemently criticized Lineker’s choice of words, emphasizing the gravity of the October 7 attacks and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. She lambasted Lineker for his perceived insensitivity, questioning his understanding of the situation and accusing him of downplaying the atrocities committed by Hamas.
In her passionate response, Hartley-Brewer highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict on innocent civilians, including children, and called out Lineker for his apparent lack of empathy. She expressed disbelief at Lineker’s use of the phrase “the Hamas thing,” characterizing it as disrespectful and minimizing the suffering of the victims
The TalkTV host’s condemnation of Lineker’s remarks reflects the broader outrage sparked by his comments. Organizations like the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) also criticized Lineker, accusing him of offering one-sided and tone-deaf interventions on social media. The CAA spokesperson emphasized Lineker’s failure to address the severity of the situation adequately, particularly given his prominent platform and social media presence.
Furthermore, Jake Wallis Simons, editor of the Jewish Chronicle, joined the chorus of voices condemning Lineker’s comments, accusing him of propagating Hamas propaganda. Simons criticized Lineker for his alleged bias and urged him to reconsider his stance on the conflict.
However, not everyone shared the same view, with some individuals, like Owen Jones, coming to Lineker’s defense. Jones argued that Lineker’s response was indicative of genuine concern for Palestinian lives and called out other public figures for their silence on the issue.
The controversy surrounding Lineker’s comments underscores the sensitivity of discussing geopolitical conflicts and the importance of choosing language carefully. As a public figure with a significant platform, Lineker’s remarks have sparked intense debate and raised questions about the responsibility of celebrities to engage with complex political issues thoughtfully
Express.co.uk reached out to Lineker’s representative for comment, but no response has been received at the time of writing.
Julia Hartley-Brewer’s impassioned criticism of Gary Lineker’s comments on Hamas highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of public figures in shaping public discourse. Lineker’s remarks have reignited discussions about the ethical responsibilities of celebrities and the need for empathy and sensitivity when discussing sensitive topics like terrorism and geopolitical conflict.
