BBC presenter ‘did not mean to suggest’ antisemitism is not important
Justin Webb has apologised for a question he asked during his interview with the American pollster John Zogby
A BBC radio presenter accused of suggesting that antisemitism isn’t as bad as other forms of racism has apologised.
Justin Webb, who hosts the Today programme, was criticised over a question he asked during his interview with the American pollster John Zogby about the US congresswoman Illhan Omar and statements about the pro-Israel lobby in the United States.
Webb asked the pollster: “If the party decided to say to its supporters, ‘look we think that antisemitism is a bit like the way some of our people might regard anti-white racism, that actually it’s a different order of racism.
“It’s not as important — it’s still bad — but it’s not as important as some other forms of racism. … What impact do you think that might have?”
Ah well if I phrased in a manner that made it seem positive then I’m very sorry. I really didn’t intend that. But I pressed to do the item precisely because it is out there and should be aired
— justin webb (@JustinOnWeb) March 12, 2019
The comedian David Baddiel later condemned the remarks in a tweet, to which Webb replied: “David that’s incredibly unfair – I am not suggesting it.
“I am suggesting that THEY are suggesting it. It’s obviously horrific but it’s there.”
After an exchange of messages in a thread, Webb said he was very sorry if the question was “phrased in a manner that made it seem positive”, adding it wasn’t his intention.
To which, Baddiel replied: “Ok. I accept that”.
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