Khawaja defends cricket journalist who was dumped over Palestinian posts

Australia World

Australian opener Usman Khawaja has defended the character of veteran cricket journalist Peter Lalor after he was dumped by SEN over social media posts about the Palestinian and Israel conflict.

Lalor reposted several posts on X about Israeli attacks in Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, leading to a “civil” conversation with SEN boss Craig Hutchison that resulted in Lalor and the radio station parting ways.

“I was told in one call there were serious organisations making complaints; in another, I was told that this was not the case,” Lalor — who is Sri Lanka covering the men’s tour — wrote in a statement.

Lalorposts

One of several posts relating to the conflict that Peter Lalor reposted on X.

“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.

“I was asked by station boss Craig Hutchison, who was civil, if I didn’t care that my retweeting of events in Gaza made Jewish people in Melbourne feel unsafe. I said I didn’t want anyone to feel unsafe. Of course, I care. I have friends who are frightened and have heard the fear in their voices during conversations. It is an awful situation. But so is Gaza. It was a brief and cordial call.

“The following day Hutchison told me that because the ‘sound of my voice made people feel unsafe’ and that people are ‘triggered by my voice’, I could not cover the cricket for them anymore.”

Khawaja posted a screenshot on Instagram of a story about the incident with the caption ‘unbelievable’, before defending Lalor’s character.

Usman Khawaja

Usman Khawaja defended Peter Lalor on Instagram after the reporter was dumped by SEN.

“Standing up for the people of Gaza is not antisemitic 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,” Khawaja posted on Instagram.

“It has everything to do with justice and human rights. Unfortunately hatred towards the Jewish and Muslim community will always exist. Pete is a good guy with a good heart. He deserves better.”

SEN confirmed in a statement that they had parted ways with Lalor, who was freelancing for the organisation.

A man points to the sky while talking on a microphone.

Craig Hutchison said the decision was made in an “increasingly complex and sometimes triggering world”. (Getty Images: Paul Kane)

“We’ve been in dialogue through the back half of the Test 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,” Hutchison said in the statement.

“SEN Cricket is a celebration of differences and nationalities and a place where our SEN audience can escape what is an increasingly complex and sometimes triggering world.

“We respect Pete as a journalist and long-time contributor to the game but also acknowledge the fear that many families in our community feel right now, and we also need to respect that.”