– Former Footballer Attacked on Twitter for Sharing Video of Caged Palestinian Children:
Former England footballer attacked by former senior Israeli official and Israeli supporters for criticizing abuse of human rights.
(MEE) — Former England footballer Gary Lineker has been hounded by Israel supporters on Twitter after sharing a video of young Palestinian children being held in a small cage by Israeli forces.
The video, published by the human rights group B’tselem, shows Israeli soldiers gathering and violently detaining Palestinian youths in Hebron in the illegally occupied West Bank, on 13 October.
Gary Lineker vs. Former IDF Spokesperson
Ex-England star and football pundit Gary Lineker was hounded on Twitter for sharing a video of Palestinian children in cages
Posted by Middle East Eye on Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Lineker, who now presents the BBC’s flagship Match of the Day highlights show, shared a tweet containing the video which had originally been posted by Ben White, a pro-Palestinian journalist and activist and occasional Middle East Eye contributor, and added the comment “sickening.”
Sickening. https://t.co/ndRH97Hkwx
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 11, 2017
White’s tweet was also shared by the UK branch of Amnesty International, which called on its supporters to sign a petition urging the British government to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Terrifying scenes from #Hebron. Stand by the Palestinian people by urging our government to take action to help them: https://t.co/JtVC5LC8Yg https://t.co/6TUkAH8t9A
— Amnesty UK (@AmnestyUK) December 12, 2017
Following his tweet, Lineker found himself in a row with the former spokesman for the Israeli army, Peter Lerner, who told him he had “completely missed the point.”
Sorry, Gary, you’ve completely missed the point. When kids throw stones they are a public menace. They need to be stopped. Yes, the video is unpleasant but it conveniently shares only a glimpse of what happened, the aftermath of their actions. You should be wiser than this. #Fail
— LTC (R) Peter Lerner (@LTCPeterLerner) December 12, 2017
They should be stuffed into a small cage? You should be wiser. #fail
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 12, 2017
In response to Lineker, Lerner said his tweet was “lacking context”.
Context is clear: locking youngsters up in a small cage is wrong. Do you disagree?
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 12, 2017
Sometimes detention is required.
— LTC (R) Peter Lerner (@LTCPeterLerner) December 12, 2017
According to AFP, there are some 6,500 Palestinians currently detained by Israel for a range of offences and alleged crimes. There are 1,100 political prisoners, according to rights groups.
While Israel supporters attacked Lineker for his tweet, others expressed support for his “condemning” of the violence used.
Good on you Gary.. If only there were more Celebs out there condemning the atrocities these of Israelis inflict on young & old Palestinian people every day. https://t.co/Tl1vFQ1BSR
— Anto..B…LFC (@Antoblfc) December 12, 2017
Thank you for the tweet, Gary Lineker. The comments and the amount of likes for those who support this disgusting act… We really have no humanity left. https://t.co/ojdY1wSNB8
— E?ECTRIC KISS (@ZJlASHUAl) December 12, 2017
Lineker’s tweet was also picked up and shared by other high-profile supporters of Palestine including Pink Floyd musician Roger Waters and film director Ken Loach.
All respect to you mate. Freedom, justice, equality, peace. Kids in cages is always wrong, period. These kids are resisting tyranny!
— Roger Waters (@rogerwaters) December 12, 2017
Well said @GaryLineker – every responsible person should share your response. https://t.co/10dyAuobGP
— Ken Loach (@KenLoachSixteen) December 12, 2017
Other users replied directly to Lerner in support of Lineker.
If you find the occupation repulsive then why are you not advocating for its end and agreeing with myself & Gary Lineker that the violent abuse of children as recorded on video is absolutely vile… there’s all kinds of footage from across West Bank of IDF detaining children
— Gary Spedding (@GarySpedding) December 12, 2017
This is not the first time Lineker has found himself in a row on Twitter after posting pro-Palestinian content. In 2015, Lineker was attacked for sharing a video from Electronic Intifada, a pro-Palestinian online publication, showing Israeli soldiers shooting a Palestinian who had been throwing stones.
In a subsequent tweet, Lineker wished his followers a happy Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, which began on Tuesday evening.
Happy Hanukkah to all those celebrating.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 12, 2017
A report released by the BBC in July revealed Lineker was the organisation’s second-highest earner, with an annual salary of £1,750,000-£1,799,999.
Lineker has also previously presented Champions League football for Al Jazeera Sports, now known as beIN Sports.
Lineker was a prolific striker who was top scorer at the 1986 World Cup and also helped England to reach the semifinals of the 1990 tournament. His club sides included Barcelona, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.
Earlier this month he hosted the draw in Moscow for next year’s World Cup in Russia.
B’tselem later tweeted thanks to Lineker for sharing the video and described the Israeli soldiers’ treatment of the children depicted in the video as routine in the West Bank.
Thank you for sharing our video, Gary. Unfortunately, this is routine
all through the West Bank. Palestinian minors’ rights are violated
systematically by Israeli authorities. Please see more videos herehttps://t.co/XFv1HgpYaL and our latest report:https://t.co/GuSjMXDJZU— B’Tselem ???? ?????? (@btselem) December 12, 2017
* * *
PayPal: Donate in USD
PayPal: Donate in EUR
PayPal: Donate in GBP