Everyone hates Gary Lineker, apparently. Everyone on the hard right of politics, for sure, and quite a lot of people on the right quite as hard right but still very right wing of politics. The standard view of the Tory party is that Lineker should not have an opinion on anything and instead should only talk about football. Those denizens of free speech, eh? You can say whatever you like as long as I agree. Add to the right, add also the more troubling and extreme wings of pro-Israel supporters. Lineker made a comment about being greatly saddened by the number of deaths in Gaza and has been attacked with varying amounts of venom by those who believe that Israel cannot be criticised about anything, ever. As an unknown non-celebrity, I had a minor brush with the anti-Lineker brigade last night.
I made what they consider to be the mistake of stating that Lineker should be accorded the right to say what he likes. Unless that is clear, unqualified and unequivocal support for Benjamin Netanyahu, he should shut up and stick to football. Responding on X to a frothing at the mouth Daily Mail reader (is there any other kind?), I was denounced as being a “numpty” for merely acknowledging that Lineker had a point and anyway had the right to say it. I’ve been called worse and Lineker has been caused much worse – death threats, anyone? – but the very fact that many people are opposed to free speech should set the alarm bells ringing.
The bile and hostility directed at Lineker has made me question my own feelings about the carnage in Gaza. I support the existence of Israel and its right to defend itself from fascist islamic maniacs like Hamas. I also support the only thing that could possibly end this conflict, which is the twin-state solution whereby Israel and Palestine do their own thing. But as things stand, neither side wants that. It seems that if you don’t support total and permanent Israeli control of Gaza, you are somehow a Hamas sympathiser, but that’s not right. Yes, I want Hamas destroyed but I don’t want ordinary Palestinians murdered. Can’t I have an opinion of my own? Unless my view includes no surrender, apparently not.
I wonder what the hardliners think they are achieving by attacking people like me who have consistently condemned Hamas for the 7th October massacre and condoned Israel’s response, I have to say to a degree? Lump us in with the hard left and the racist “From the river to the sea” brigade? That, I’m afraid what it feels like.
However, my minor social media scuffles are but nothing to the pile-ons experienced by decent folk like Gary Lineker where basic freedom is anathema to those who call for freedom everywhere else.
We keep being told we should be grateful that we still enjoy a free press, but what on Earth does that mean? Only the little read Guardian is independently owned, by a trust as it happens, while the others are owned by filthy rich companies or filthy rich individuals who are often based abroad. A free press? Hardly. Free from government control, maybe, but hardly independent and free-speaking.
Increasingly, free speech exists only for those who can afford it. And even wealthy people like Gary Lineker cannot avoid the overwhelming heft of the press. Whether we agree him or not, we should respect his right to free speech. Deny it and we are in a very dark place.
