Australian journalist sacked over Gaza stance

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Australian broadcaster and cricket journalist Peter Lalor was dismissed on Tuesday due to his social media posts about Israeli attacks in Gaza and accusations of genocide against the Israeli government.

SEN radio confirmed the separation from Lalor’s coverage of the Sri Lanka Test series following his posts related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Lalor was sacked after “dialogue with him about some of the commentary on his social media,” SEN said, according to Sky News Australia.

Lalor stated that his posts on X, including pictures, articles, and videos about the suffering of Palestinians, were behind the decision.

Lalor, a veteran journalist from Victoria with nearly 30 years of experience, had previously served as the chief cricket writer at The Australian before retiring in February 2024.

He was informed of his dismissal while commentating on the opening Test in Galle.

"I was told in one call there were serious organizations making complaints; in another, I was told this was not the case," Lalor said in a statement.

"Perhaps I misunderstood. I was told there were accusations I was antisemitic, which I strongly objected to. I was told my retweeting was not balanced and insensitive to one side and that many people had complained."

SEN CEO Craig Hutchison said, “We’ve been in dialogue through the back half of the [first] Test [in Sri Lanka] about some of the commentary on Peter’s private social media feed. Peter and I have a different view of the impact of that in the Australian community.”

- Australian cricketer condemns sacking

Lalor becomes the second Australian journalist fired over Gaza-related social media posts.

Antoinette Lattouf was dismissed by ABC last year for sharing a Human Rights Watch article about Gaza.

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja condemned the decision, expressing support for Lalor.

In an Instagram post, Khawaja, who has been vocal in supporting Palestinians, wrote, “Standing up for the people of Gaza is not anti-Semitic nor does it have anything to do with my Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, but everything to do with the Israeli government and their deplorable actions.”

“It has everything to do with justice and human rights. Unfortunately hatred towards the Jewish and Muslim community will always exist,” he added.