UK Radio Host Sparks Outrage After Reading Antisemitic Letter On-Air
British radio host James O'Brien faces backlash after reading an antisemitic listener message on LBC claiming Jewish schools teach hatred, prompting calls for his removal.
British radio presenter James O'Brien is under fire after reading an antisemitic message from a listener live on air during his show on LBC. The letter, which claimed that Jewish children in the UK are taught that Arab lives are worth less than Jewish lives, has been condemned by Jewish organizations as a dangerous and modern form of blood libel.
O'Brien dedicated a nearly three-hour segment to discussing Israel’s military actions in Gaza. During the show, he criticized fellow journalists for focusing on the political expressions of artists like the band Bob Vylan’s comments at Glastonbury, instead of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Midway through the broadcast, O'Brien introduced a message from a listener named Chris, which quickly drew backlash for its disturbing content.
In the letter, the listener wrote:
“I really enjoy the show, but I think it’s worth saying that these distorted views aren’t just an Israeli problem. My wife grew up Jewish, and at ‘Shabbat School’ in Hertfordshire, she was taught that the life of one Jew is worth thousands of Arabs, and that Arabs are cockroaches who should be crushed.”
Jewish leaders immediately rejected the claim as pure fabrication and called attention to the fact that there is no such thing as “Shabbat School” in British Jewish education. The Community Security Trust (CST) and the Campaign Against Antisemitism called the statement “a dangerous lie” and criticized O'Brien for airing it without challenge.
A short clip of the segment was later shared on LBC’s social media channels with the caption: “At ‘Shabbat School’, my wife was taught that the life of a Jew is worth a thousand Arabs.” After receiving hundreds of angry responses, LBC removed the video.
A spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism said:
“This was a modern-day blood libel broadcast on national radio. Had a listener made similar fabrications about any other minority group, O'Brien would have interrupted immediately. Instead, the message was aired in full, without critique. It is not only a lie, it is an incitement to hate. British Jews will be the ones to suffer the consequences.”
The Board of Deputies of British Jews also condemned the incident, stating:
“The fact that James O'Brien read this appalling claim on air as if it were factual, without questioning it, is an act of grossly irresponsible journalism. At a time of rising antisemitism, when synagogues and Jewish schools require increased security, unverified claims like these present a real threat to our community.”
The CST further warned:
“The assertion that Jewish children are taught such hatred is vile. This is a new and disgusting low point for both O’Brien and LBC.”
The Board of Deputies has requested an urgent meeting with LBC executives, demanding accountability. In an official statement, they said:
“Broadcasting such an egregious falsehood and demonizing the Jewish community at a time of heightened antisemitism must have consequences. LBC must apologize and remove Mr. O’Brien from the air.”
As of publication, neither LBC nor Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, has issued a public response.