ITV GMB row erupts over Ed Balls’ ‘whataboutery’ with antisemitism campaigner after arson attack: 'Absolutely clueless!’

During the discussion, the former Economic Secretary referred to comments made about Muslim prayer in Trafalgar Square and asked whether such language risked fuelling division in the Jewish community.

His remarks were made while speaking to campaigner Dov Forman in the wake of an attack on a Jewish volunteer emergency service.

Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick commented on the programme, condemning Mr Balls’ intervention, saying it was “absolutely clueless” to engage in what he described as “whataboutery” in the context of an antisemitic attack.

Mr Jenrick said: “In one ridiculous question, Ed Balls reveals himself to be absolutely clueless.

"Engaging in whataboutery with a young antisemitism campaigner at the scene of an antisemitic attack is deeply unpleasant."

He continued: "The only people responsible for this sick crime are the perpetrators and our weak political leaders who have been too weak to confront extremism.”

The Campaign for Media Standards also criticised the segment.

They argued that the focus should have remained on antisemitism and the recent attack rather than wider political debates.

In a post on X, the group said viewers would have expected “focused questions about the rise and threat of antisemitism in the UK” following the incident, rather than a shift towards discussion of criticism of public Muslim prayer events.

They added: “This isn’t balance or insight; it’s poor journalism that misses the point and dilutes the seriousness of antisemitism.”

After an antisemitic attack on a Jewish volunteer ambulance service, you’d expect focussed questions about the rise and threat of antisemitism in the UK.

Not @edballs on @GMB this morning.

Instead, he tried to shift the discussion – asking whether criticism of a mass iftar… pic.twitter.com/aWSnqb6tfc

— Campaign for Media Standards (@4mediastandards) March 23, 2026

Online reaction to the segment was similarly critical, with viewers accusing Mr Balls of deflecting from the issue at hand.

One user wrote: “So Balls thinks it’s the Jews’ fault that someone said something which Muslims didn’t like – and therefore this attack on Jewish ambulances was justified?”

Another said: “Ed Balls is a former Labour MP who lost his seat and landed a lucrative position as a TV presenter, abusing his position to score political points.”

Others described the exchange as “totally inappropriate”, while one post read: “He has no business hosting a news programme.”

However, supporters of the programme argued that Mr Balls was highlighting wider concerns about rising tensions and inflammatory rhetoric across communities, rather than excusing any criminal behaviour.

The exchange comes amid heightened sensitivity around antisemitism in the UK following a spate of incidents, including the recent arson attack on the Jewish volunteer ambulance service.

The former Labour MP has repeatedly faced criticism throughout 2024 and 2025 for claims of bias, conflicts of interest and his interview style.

A major flashpoint came in August 2024 when he interviewed his wife, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, about national riots, prompting allegations of a serious conflict of interest and thousands of complaints to Ofcom.

He has also been accused of “bullying” or speaking over guests during clashes with Reform UK figures, including Richard Tice and Nigel Farage, with viewers branding his approach aggressive and unprofessional.

Further criticism followed interviews and political discussions involving Labour figures, with some accusing him of protecting or promoting his wife’s political position and showing bias towards senior Labour figures such as Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

However, supporters maintain Mr Balls is robust in holding political guests to account.