Piers Morgan Bans Dave Rubin From Show After Israel Feud

British broadcaster Piers Morgan banned commentator Dave Rubin from appearing on his program after a public dispute tied to Morgan’s criticism of Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza. The clash followed Rubin’s defense of conservative commentator Ben Shapiro during Morgan’s ongoing feud with the Daily Wire co-founder over criticism of Israel’s government and its handling of the war.

Morgan announced the ban on social media after Rubin said he would no longer appear on Morgan’s panel programs. Responding directly, Morgan wrote, “You won’t ever be doing my show again, in any capacity.”

The dispute began after Morgan hosted debates on his show featuring outspoken critics of Israel and criticized Israel’s government over the war in Gaza. Pro-Israel commentators such as Ben Shapiro accused Morgan of giving a platform to extreme anti-Israel voices, while Morgan argued that criticism of Israeli policy should remain part of legitimate public debate.

The conflict escalated after Shapiro criticized Morgan’s show following a debate that featured libertarian, anti-Israel commentator Dave Smith. Shapiro mocked the program’s format, calling Morgan “the Jerry Springer of political television” and accusing the host of “putting on screen whatever dregs are still willing to go on.”

Morgan responded during an episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored, accusing Shapiro of refusing to tolerate criticism of Israel’s government and suggesting the conservative commentator had stopped appearing on his show after Morgan began criticizing Israel’s conduct in Gaza.

“The difference between me and you, Ben, is that I’m heavily criticized by both sides because I listen to both sides and very often I criticize both sides too without fear or favor,” Morgan said. “I’m a journalist. You are a propagandist.”

Morgan also escalated the dispute online by announcing a new policy on X regarding accusations of antisemitism. “New rule for the X community: if you call me antisemitic, you’re now getting blocked. Instantly, permanently, and with no appeals process,” he wrote.

Rubin entered the dispute publicly after Morgan criticized Shapiro, accusing the broadcaster of courting controversy for attention. “Piers would sell his mother to a jihadist for a click…” Rubin wrote in a post on X.

Morgan fired back sharply, writing that Rubin had betrayed him despite a past friendship. “Wow. Four months ago, I drove out to do Rubin’s podcast at his home in Miami as a personal favour because he’s done my show many times. I thought we were friends. How wrong could I be?” Morgan wrote, before adding, “What a treacherous little weasel. Being Netanyahu’s useful idiot has sent him & Shapiro nuts.”

The dispute drew reactions from other commentators, including Candace Owens, who suggested Morgan was now facing the same backlash she had experienced for criticizing pro-Israel figures. “Welcome to the light Piers!” Owens wrote. “Wait until they harass your sponsors, demand you get banned from speaking, and threaten lawsuits.”

The public feud highlights growing divisions among political commentators over how Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza should be discussed in media debates, with some figures arguing criticism of Israeli policy is necessary while others say such coverage risks amplifying hostile narratives about the Jewish state.