A heated exchange erupted on GB News as trade union boss Steve Hedley and presenter Josh Howie clashed over pro-Palestine demonstrations.
The confrontation began when Hedley defended footage of himself at a pro-Palestine rally where he had accused someone holding an Israeli flag of supporting the “killing of babies”.
“They were zionists and they were supporting the genocide in Gaza. They were holding signs, baiting people at a pro-Palestine rally,” Hedley claimed.
Josh strongly contested these assertions, stating: “It’s about standing up and saying there isn’t a genocide”.
Patrick was forced to step in as the pair locked horns
GB NEWS
The debate intensified when Hedley referenced an international arrest warrant for Netanyahu and alleged human rights violations.
“I believe Jews have the right to live in their homeland,” Josh responded, to which Hedley retorted: “You should be ashamed. Thousands of dead children.”
Patrick was forced to step in
GB NEWS
Josh fired back: “Ashamed for saying Jews have the right to live in safety? Israel did not go out to kill thousands of children, you’re talking about Hamas.”
Host Patrick Christys was forced to intervene in the increasingly hostile exchange, telling both participants they were “letting themselves down a bit.”
The clash had reached its peak when Hedley accused Howie of supporting violence in Gaza, with Howie vehemently denying the allegation.
The heated debate reflected wider tensions surrounding pro-Palestine demonstrations in London, where protesters have been voicing strong criticism of the British government’s position.
Recent rallies have seen demonstrators chanting slogans such as “Keir Starmer, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide,” addressing their concerns about the UK government’s response to the situation in Gaza.
The confrontation highlighted the deeply polarised views surrounding the ongoing protests, with both participants refusing to concede ground on their respective positions before the host’s intervention.
The tensions displayed in the GB News debate follow recent controversies over pro-Palestine demonstrations in London.
Just days ago, the Metropolitan Police attempted to prevent a rally outside the BBC headquarters, citing concerns about “serious disruption” due to the route’s proximity to a synagogue.
The coalition of pro-Palestine organisations firmly rejected these attempts, stating that the closest synagogue was not on the actual protest route.
Adnan Humaidan, acting head of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, accused the police of “yielding to pressure from the Zionist lobby.”
Recent demonstrations have drawn thousands to Westminster, with protesters demanding an end to arms exports to Israel.
A protest on Monday specifically targeted Israel’s attacks on Gaza’s health facilities, with demonstrator Mark Etkind, son of a Holocaust survivor, describing the destruction of Gaza’s healthcare system as “completely appalling.”
The Palestine coalition has vowed that demonstrations will continue until “justice is realized.”
