LBC presenter James O’Brien faces backlash for airing an antisemitic listener message accusing Jewish schools of teaching hatred, sparking national outrage and calls for his removal.
In a broadcast that has triggered widespread condemnation, LBC radio host James O’Brien came under fire after reading an antisemitic message on air, echoing dangerous tropes about Jewish children being taught to dehumanize Arabs — without offering any critique or fact-checking.
During a segment on Israel’s military operations in Gaza, O’Brien read a message from a listener named Chris in Oxford, claiming that Jewish children in “Shabbat school” were taught that “one Jewish life is worth thousands of Arab lives, and that Arabs are cockroaches to be crushed.”
O’Brien introduced the message around the two-hour mark of his show, saying he was interested in “how people can be looking at the same world and arriving at such completely different conclusions.” But he failed to question the claim’s credibility, despite it resembling classic antisemitic blood libel.
Worse still, LBC shared a video clip of the segment on social media with the caption:
“’At Shabbat school, my wife was taught that one Jewish life is worth a thousand Arab lives’. Listener Chris outlines to James O’Brien the ‘danger’ of ‘propaganda processes’ spreading.”
The post was swiftly deleted after a firestorm of criticism erupted online.
🔥 Community Backlash
Jewish organizations across the UK reacted with fury:
- The Campaign Against Antisemitism slammed the show as airing a “modern blood libel on national radio” and warned that such rhetoric could incite real-world harm: “Were this about any other minority, O’Brien would have likely shut it down immediately.”
- The Community Security Trust (CST) labeled the incident “absolutely disgusting” and “a vile new low.”
- The Jewish Leadership Council described the broadcast as “irresponsible and dangerous journalism,” especially amid rising antisemitic threats.
- The Board of Deputies of British Jews demanded a meeting with LBC leadership, calling for a full apology and O’Brien’s removal from air: “There must be consequences. At a time of surging antisemitism, airing a blatant falsehood like this is unacceptable.”
Critics also noted that there is no such institution as “Shabbat school” in the UK — children typically attend cheder or Sunday school for religious education. The fabricated terminology and unverified anecdote have only intensified accusations that LBC gave a platform to hate-fueled misinformation.
🚨 What’s at Stake
This controversy comes amid a spike in antisemitic incidents across the UK, where Jewish institutions — including schools and synagogues — are under increased security protection.
Calls are growing for LBC to issue a formal apology, retract the segment publicly, and take disciplinary action against O’Brien. As the outrage spreads, media watchdogs are warning of a broader problem — the mainstreaming of antisemitic narratives under the guise of debate.
