A comedian who has labelled Israel's operation in Gaza as "genocide" and "ethnic cleansing" is set to host Have I Got News for You.
Guz Khan will present this week's edition of the BBC1 comedy news panel show after posting a string of anti-Israel posts on social media since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7.
On October 7, Khan, the star and creator of the BBC3 sitcom Man Like Mobeen, shared a post by Greece's former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis, who said on X/Twitter: “The path to ending the tragic loss of innocent lives - both Palestinian and Israeli - begins with one crucial first step: the end of the Israeli occupation and apartheid.”
— Guz Khan 🥶 (@GuzKhanOfficial)
October 18, 2023
On October 18th following a series of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City, he accused the Jewish state of war crimes. He said on X/Twitter: “Ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians.
"The system is set up in the West so that Israel has total, utter impunity to commit these war crimes.
“How can they wield this level of power? It's frightening. Just know, one day, it could be you.”
In another post on November 17, he wrote: “This settler project is falling down in front of our eyes. I've never been more sure of a Free Palestine."
A BBC insider told the JC: "All Jewish staff I know are shocked. It just seems the corporation is tone deaf. It should be abundantly clear by now to BBC editors and programme makers, as well as the director general, that their indifference is causing great offence.
"First Lineker tweeting about Israel committing genocide, then barring staff from attending the march against antisemitism, and now - right in the middle of the Gaza war - having a one-sided outspoken anti-Israel personality host one of its most popular shows. Where's it going to end?"
Khan will host episode 8 on Friday 1 December at 9pm.
On making his first appearance on the show, Guz said "Have I Got News For You? I don't know, have you got news for me? I guess we'll find out won't we pal. See you soon for the debut gang!"
Joining him on the panel will be comedy legend, Ross Noble, as well as broadcaster and journalist Janet Street-Porter.
BBC comedy programmes do not have to abide by the strict impartiality guidelines governing its news output.
A BBC spokesperson said: “Hat Trick are a very experienced production company who have been making Have I Got News For You for 30 years. They know how to make the programme and it has always had people with a broad range of political views. Their job is to deliver a programme that fully complies with the BBC’s editorial standards.”
