Usman Khawaja defends Peter Lalor after cricket reporter dumped by SEN over Palestinian posts

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has defended veteran cricket journalist Peter Lalor, after Lalor was sacked by SEN for social media posts about the conflict in Palestine and Israel. Lalor had reposted multiple posts on X regarding Israeli attacks in Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel, leading to a "civil" conversation with SEN boss Craig Hutchison, which ultimately resulted in Lalor parting ways with the station.

In a statement, Lalor wrote, "I was told in one call there were serious organizational complaints; in another, I was told that was not the case. Perhaps I misunderstood. I was told I was accused of antisemitism, which I strongly refute. I was told my reposts were unbalanced, insensitive to one side, and that there were many complaints." He was in Sri Lanka at the time, covering the men's tour.

"The station boss, Craig Hutchison, kindly asked me if I didn’t care that the events I was reposting about in Gaza were making Jewish people in Melbourne feel unsafe. I said I didn’t want anyone to feel unsafe. I certainly did care. I had friends who were scared, and I heard the fear in their voices in conversations. It is a terrible situation. But so is Gaza. It was a brief and amicable call," Lalor added. "The next day, Hutchison told me that because 'my voice was making people feel unsafe' and people were 'being triggered by my voice' I could no longer cover cricket for them."

Khawaja posted a screenshot of news about the incident on Instagram with the caption “Unbelievable,” followed by a defense of Lalor's character. "Supporting the people of Gaza is not antisemitism and has nothing to do with my Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, but everything to do with the Israeli government and their deplorable actions," Khawaja wrote on Instagram. "It is purely about justice and human rights. Unfortunately, hatred for both the Jewish and Muslim communities will always exist. Pete is a good man with a good heart. He deserves better."

SEN confirmed in a statement that they had parted ways with Lalor, who freelanced for the organization. "We have been in discussions about Peter’s private social media comments during the back half of the Test. Peter and I have different views on the impact of those comments on the Australian community," Hutchison said in the statement. "SEN Cricket is a celebration of difference and nationality, and a place where our SEN audience can escape the increasingly complex and sometimes emotive world. We respect Peter as a journalist and long-term contributor to the sport, but we also acknowledge the fear that many families in our community now feel, and we need to respect that too."