Entertainment

Galloway sacked by radio station over ‘anti-Semitic’ Champions League tweet

The former Labour and Respect Party MP expressed relief over a lack of ‘Israel flags on the cup’ after Liverpool beat Tottenham.
The former Labour and Respect Party MP expressed relief over a lack of ‘Israel flags on the cup’ after Liverpool beat Tottenham. The former Labour and Respect Party MP expressed relief over a lack of ‘Israel flags on the cup’ after Liverpool beat Tottenham.

George Galloway has been sacked by talkRADIO following an “anti-Semitic” comment posted on Twitter.

The radio host and former MP tweeted to congratulate Liverpool on their Champions League win, and expressed relief that there would be no “Israel flags on the cup”.

Galloway sworn in
Galloway sworn in George Galloway posted following the Champions League final (Lewis Whyld/PA)

Defeated side Tottenham are known for having historically significant support from the Jewish community.

Galloway’s employer, talkRADIO, labelled the post anti-Semitic, and announced that it had severed ties with the The Mother of All Talk Shows host.

In an statement on Twitter the station said: “talkRADIO has terminated George Galloway’s weekly show with immediate effect. As a fair and balanced news provider, talkRADIO does not tolerate anti-Semitic views.”

Galloway had posted following Liverpool’s victory: “Congratulations to the great people of Liverpool to the memory of the socialist miner Bill Shankley to the fallen 96 to those who fought for justice for them and to the Liverpool dockers. No Israel flags on the Cup!”

Galloway said he would see his former employer in court following the news of his sacking.

The former Labour and Respect Party politician also declared his support for Palestine.

In a string of tweets following his dismissal, he said: “I’ve just been sacked by @talkRADIO See you in Court guys. #Palestine #Moats Long live Palestine.”

He then added: “I’ve been given a Red Card from @talkRADIO for ‘over-celebrating’ #Liverpool famous victory over Spurs. Not sure it’s the wisest move Mr Murdoch’s team ever made given the history and all.”

Media watchdog Ofcom had received numerous complaints about Galloway’s show.

Board of Deputies of British Jews president Marie van der Zyl said Mr Galloway’s tweet was “blatant anti-Semitism”.

She added: “We also applaud talkRADIO for taking this poisonous and divisive figure off air. His attempt to bring hatred into a wonderful occasion for English football has attracted the derision it deserves.”