There was an amusing moment on the Today programme this morning when, after delivering Thought For The Day, Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks was asked by presenter Evan Davis for his thoughts on the situation in Gaza. Not appearing to realise he was still on air, he sighed and replied, “I think it’s got to do with Iran, actually”, a moment of candour that prompted co-presenter Sarah Montague to whisper, “we, we’re live!”
Sacks then delivered a more banal response offering a “a continued prayer for peace, not only in Gaza but for the whole region. No one gains from violence, not the Palestinians, not the Israelis. This is an issue here where we must all pray for peace and work for it.”
One wonders: did Sacks not finish his point because he thought it was inappropriate or because he thought Today thought it was inappropriate?
You can listen to the exchange in full above.
Update: The BBC has apologised for catching Sacks off-guard. A spokesman said: “The Chief Rabbi hadn’t realised he was still on-air and as soon as this became apparent, we interjected. Evan likes to be spontaneous with guests but he accepts that in this case it was inappropriate and he has apologised to Lord Sacks. The BBC would reiterate that apology.”
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