The BBC is facing criticism for inviting the British-Pakistani Muslim influencer and former The Apprentice contestant to Sunday Morning Live to defend Islamic face coverings, despite her history of passionate statements about Jews, Israel and Iran.
Hours after his appearance on the program, Sheikh declared that "Israel is a greater threat to the West than Iran."
On October 7, 2023, hours after Hamas massacred Israelis, she wrote: "The Palestinians did more in 5 minutes than Zelensky did with 75 billion. Humiliation is an understatement."
A week after the first anniversary of the massacre, she called for the elimination of Israel as a state, declaring:
"One state solution. Palestine. And send this European problem back to the Europe before us. ".
She previously described the European Jews who immigrated to Israel as "the biggest charlatans on this planet" and "a bunch of lying scum." Earlier this year, the "Guardian" reported that Sheikh participated in two trips sponsored by the Iranian state and met senior regime officials.
Labor Against Anti-Semitism condemned the BBC's decision as "sickening", while the BBC's former director of television, Danny Cohen, called it "appalling".
In response to criticism, a BBC spokesman defended the invitation:
"Bushra Sheikh is a media personality and broadcaster. She appeared on the topical debate show Sunday Morning Live to discuss Should full face coverings be banned in public? '. Any personal opinions expressed are hers and not the BBC's."