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British Airways has withdrawn sponsorship from Louis Theroux’s podcast after an episode that gave a platform to antisemitic rhetoric and anti-Israel conspiracy theories.
The guest, Bob Vylan frontman Pascal Robinson-Foster, used the interview to justify his “Death to the IDF” chant at Glastonbury Festival and to repeat baseless claims about Israel.
Recorded on October 1, the conversation marked Robinson-Foster’s first interview since his on-stage tirade in June. His call for violence against Israelis triggered widespread condemnation, forcing promoters to cancel upcoming shows and prompting U.S. authorities to revoke the band’s visas.
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Unchallenged Hate Speech
Robinson-Foster said he had turned down other interview requests, including one from Piers Morgan, because he wanted a discussion that would “explore the nuances.” He expected a sympathetic forum — and got one. Throughout the exchange, Theroux offered little resistance, leaving his guest’s statements untested.
The rapper expressed no regret for chanting “Death to the IDF.”
“If I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would do it again,” he said. He explained that he later asked fans not to repeat the chant only to avoid legal problems, noting that several investigations remain open.
Robinson-Foster insisted that the criticism against him was “disproportionate.” He claimed his backlash was minor compared with “what people in Palestine are going through,” portraying his words as protest rather than threat. Theroux accepted that framing without challenge.
Zionism Misrepresented
The discussion soon turned overtly antisemitic. Robinson-Foster declared that “white supremacy is displayed so vividly in Zionism.” Theroux agreed, saying Jewish identity in Israel had become “an acceptable way of understanding ethno-nationalism.” He described what he called “Zionist exceptionalism” as a model for white nationalists.
These claims are a gross distortion of history. Zionism is not supremacy — it is restoration and survival. It represents the centuries-long effort of the Jewish people to reclaim sovereignty in their ancestral homeland after exile and persecution. For more than 3,000 years, the Land of Israel has stood at the heart of Jewish identity, anchored in prayer, scripture, and continuous presence. After enduring expulsions, pogroms, and genocide across continents, Jews restored independence in the only land that has ever been theirs. Israel’s re-establishment fulfilled a promise embedded in Jewish life: a refuge and a future for a people who never ceased to belong to it.
False Claims About Israel and U.S. Policing
Robinson-Foster also advanced a conspiracy theory linking Israel to racism in U.S. policing. He alleged that Georgia law-enforcement officers import “IDF tactics” through the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE). In fact, GILEE partners with several countries and involves training with the Israel Police — a civilian force entirely separate from the IDF.
Rising Antisemitism Downplayed
Theroux asked about a report from the UK-based Community Security Trust (CST) showing a spike in antisemitic incidents after Glastonbury. That day saw the worst level of antisemitism in the U.K. during the first half of 2025, with 26 cases reported.
Robinson-Foster dismissed the findings and questioned the CST’s use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. He denied responsibility for inciting hatred, saying, “I don’t think I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish community.”
British Airways Withdraws
Within days of the episode’s release, British Airways confirmed it was cutting ties. “Our sponsorship of the series has now been paused, and the advert has been removed,” the airline said. “The content clearly breaches our sponsorship policy in relation to politically sensitive or controversial subject matters.”
Mindhouse Productions, founded by Theroux, defended the broadcast. The company described him as “a journalist with a long history of speaking to controversial figures.”
The controversy underscores why the IHRA antisemitism definition is essential for identifying and addressing modern expressions of Jew-hatred. The definition helps institutions, media outlets, and corporations distinguish between legitimate political discourse and antisemitic incitement — ensuring that rhetoric targeting Jews or Israel under false pretenses is recognized and condemned.
Take Action
CAM has launched Report It — a secure app to report antisemitic incidents anonymously and in real time. Don’t stay silent — download it today on the Apple Store. See it. Report it. Stop it. Together, we can fight this hate.
