How did Israel get so much influence? How can this be changed or overcome?

It’s not even in question that if someone shares content on social media, they are responsible for its contents. Having said that, I don’t believe Lineker knowingly shared the content because of the association; as you said earlier it’s an association very few would be aware of (apart from those people who are intentionally aware of it’s connotations, and those people who are the target), which is why I believe that those people who wanted to imply that Lineker was a rabid extremist had all the evidence they needed, whereas Lineker has never struck me as either an extremist, or being all that tuned-in to begin with (there’s no polite way to say he’s a bit dim, but his heart is in the right place).

What Lineker is undoubtedly aware of, is his employers social media policy, and I’m certain there’s a piece in it that makes it explicitly clear his contributions on social media are a reflection of his employers values and he should not post anything which has the potential to damage his employers reputation (as low a reputation as his employer has already given the numerous scandals, but that’s beside the point), and so really he was left with little choice but to resign before he was dismissed, as I’m not sure there was any coming back from that one once the association was made that Gary is an anti-Semite. I personally don’t imagine he is, but Gary would be all too familiar with the properties of shìt - it tends to stick:

https://www.joe.ie/uncategorized/lineker-admits-to-****-himself-literally-against-ireland-at-italia-90-12833

Yeah, the use of a rat in nazi symbolism would be new to me also although I accept Linekar and the Jewish community would be more aware. It's actions like this that teach people like me the old nazi symbols that I wouldn't be used to so at least they come with that positive

I don’t think it’s surprising at all as most people simply aren’t aware of it’s use in that context, they may be aware of the Holocaust and so on, but not the propaganda which had been very effective at the time. Similarly to modern times where it’s used by certain people to portray immigrants as undesirable and a threat to society and social order and a nation’s security - the type who bellyache about 1984 without ever having read it, let alone having any knowledge of Animal Farm (or the context in which those books were written), and certainly no knowledge of Maus!

I was recently in Indonesia and at a Hindu temple there were swastikas' symbols throughout it. My partner was shocked as she had no idea of the original meaning behind it before it was stolen and tarnished by the Nazis.

Never saw that movie. The BBC don't want to draw the hate and ire of the very large British Jewish community so I think it's understandable they want to cut ties with him

I assume you're familiar with the Upminster bridge underground station in London then? Something similar there

I's possible many don't know because a lot of that type of imagery is banned ,or quickly removed.

And especially in Germany where you can be convicted for disseminating anything considered antisemitic ..

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/germanys-laws-antisemitic-hate-speech-nazi-propaganda-holocaust-denial/&ved=2ahUKEwiGh5-c5bSNAxVHXUEAHbQREvQQFnoECB4QAQ&usg=AOvVaw1CD7NP0Zzbq1Szns4twV7I

I know from watching The Rise of the Nazi's and ,( this will date me 🙈,) The World at War and the like .

It's ronic and completely warped that one of the reasons Germany and other countries are still supporting Israel because of what they suffered and now their government is behaving just as viciously and with criminal intent towards the Palestinians .

Fair enough, significant minority though, 5th largest population in the world after Israel, USA, France and Canada I think

Of course most people didn't know, that's why it had to be explained in news broadcasts. It's hugely possible that this was by design as you say to stop those atrocities happening again

Yep. They're not doing anything concrete against Israel. It's all only optics because Western governments are under pressure. Putting sanctions on people or companies that are not engaged in any business outside of Israel is more nonsense. They're taking zero action against the state of Israel.

The heritage or religion of the man who fired him certainly had some part to play in it. You'd be fairly hard pressed to find a Jew unattached to Israel and who wouldn't take offence for something like that

Vile is the word .

Typically villainy.

Your mileage on that definition may vary

Agreeing with @ancapailldorcha re "the vile Suella Braverman. " !

Stomach-churning genocide going on in Gaza today and the British national broadcaster on their 6pm news tonight had as their top 3 headline stories

1. Fuel allowance for pensioners
2. Security of Marks and Spencer computers
3. Rights of wild campers.

Not a mention of aid being blocked from starving children.

Tells you all you need to know about priorities at the BBC.

You may find it surprising, however, A. Few people are that knowledgeable of nazi propaganda and B. few people have even heard of 'Maus'.

As a matter of course, I would doubt that the average Joe (who I'd wager would be blissfully unaware of propaganda from the 1930's and of graphic novels in general) would make the connection between rats/mice and Jews in the context of bog standard antisemitic slurs.