Lineker and the comparison of Zionism with Nazism: a new scandal on social media

Former England captain Gary Lineker deleted a repost of a video in which activist Tony Greenstein compared Zionism to Nazism. The incident caused a stir in British media and social networks. Lineker has previously been involved in scandals related to antisemitism.

Former England captain and renowned sports commentator Gary Lineker has once again found himself at the center of a scandal. He reposted a video in which 72-year-old activist Tony Greenstein compared Zionism to Nazism. The original publication was posted by the pro-Palestinian organization CAGE International. After a wave of outrage, Lineker deleted the post from Instagram and X. The occasion for Greenstein's speech was his acquittal at Kingston Crown Court on charges of supporting Hamas. The judge did not hold him in contempt of court, calling his speech incoherent. After the trial, Greenstein stated that his anti-Zionist stance is dictated by his Jewish heritage and demanded that British politicians be put on trial. Critics, including Spiked columnist Brendan O'Neill, accused Lineker of spreading radical theses. This is not the first such incident involving Lineker.