Politics · United Kingdom · 6 hrs ago
Green Party activist and Jewish journalist clash on BBC politics show
Green Party activist Ashok Kumar and journalist Rachel Cunliffe clashed on the BBC programme Politics Live.
They were discussing a motion adopted at the Green Party’s conference that described Zionism as racism.
Kumar argued that connecting Zionism with the Jewish religion was antisemitic, while Cunliffe challenged him and said he was calling her antisemitic.
Kumar interrupted Cunliffe during the exchange, and another guest, Baroness Chakrabarti, called his comments appalling.
Kumar had also faced criticism for a social media post about the 2023 attack on the Nova music festival; he later said he did not support Hamas or violence against civilians.
The BBC said it brings in voices from across the political spectrum and that their views are appropriately challenged.
Kumar said his later post that the other participants looked close to tears referred to their frustration, not specifically to Cunliffe.
Green Party activist Ashok Kumar clashed with Jewish journalist Rachel Cunliffe on the BBC programme Politics Live.
The discussion concerned a motion described as “Zionism is racism”, adopted at the Greens’ conference that month.
Kumar argued that connecting Zionism with the Jewish religion was anti-Semitic, and Cunliffe challenged him after he called her anti-Semitic.
The BBC faced criticism for inviting Kumar and said it features a range of political voices whose views are appropriately challenged.
Kumar said he did not support Hamas or condone violence against civilians.
- Who
- Green Party activist Ashok Kumar and journalist Rachel Cunliffe clashed on air.
- What
- They debated a Green Party motion described as “Zionism is racism” and the relationship between Zionism and Judaism.
- When
- The article was published on October 24, 2026; it does not state when the programme aired.
- Where
- On the BBC programme Politics Live.
- Why
- They disagreed over whether connecting Zionism with the Jewish religion was anti-Semitic and over Kumar’s remarks to Cunliffe.
Ashok Kumar
Rachel Cunliffe
Zionism and Judaism
Ashok Kumar
Kumar said it was anti-Semitic to connect Zionism with the Jewish religion.
Rachel Cunliffe
Cunliffe challenged Kumar after he called her anti-Semitic, saying he was lecturing her about bigotry and racism.
Kumar posted an image from the Nova festival with a caption about partying on stolen land.
The Greens’ conference adopted the controversial “Zionism is racism” motion.
The Daily Mail published its report on the clash between Kumar and Cunliffe on Politics Live.
- Programme
- BBC’s Politics Live
- Participants
- Ashok Kumar and Rachel Cunliffe
- Kumar’s academic role
- Professor at Birkbeck, University of London
- Motion
- Zionism is racism,” adopted at the Greens’ conference that month
- Publication date
- October 24, 2026
What people are saying
Sometimes partying on stolen land next to a concentration camp where a million people are starved has consequences.
I don't think you would sit here and lecture somebody of any other religion or race on what counted as bigotry or racism towards them in the way that you have explicitly called me anti–Semitic.
It is staggering that the BBC invited him to come on air and then gave him free rein to launch a disgusting attack against a Jewish guest and tell her she was wrong about her identity and experiences of anti–Semitism.
The BBC features a range of voices from across the political spectrum to talk about topical issues – their policies are scrutinised and their views appropriately challenged.