Sacked Radio Presenter Accuses ABC of Discrimination and Pressure from Lawyers for Israel

Sacked radio presenter Antoinette Lattouf has filed a complaint with the Fair Work Commission, accusing the ABC of discrimination against individuals of Arab and Muslim backgrounds and succumbing to pressure from Jewish lawyers playing a ‘bluff’ game. Lattouf claims she was fired from her role due to her social media posts and is now seeking legal action against the broadcaster.

Newly leaked WhatsApp messages from a WhatsApp group known as Lawyers for Israel reveal that certain members exerted constant pressure on ABC management to take action against Lattouf. In these messages, lawyers discuss the need for legal action and warn the ABC about potential consequences if they fail to comply.

While there is no suggestion of any affiliation with recognized Australian Jewish advocacy groups, the messages reflect a concerted effort by Lawyers for Israel to advocate for her termination. In one message, a lawyer questions why Lattouf was allowed to host a radio show, to which another member responds by stating the need to ‘stamp it out.’

Antoinette Lattouf’s lawyer, Josh Bornstein, who himself is Jewish, is even referred to as a ‘traitor’ in one of the messages. Bornstein highlights the concerning nature of the lawyers’ group’s suggestion to bluff the ABC with a legal threat.

Accusing the ABC of racism and discrimination, Lattouf claims that the broadcaster is an unsafe workplace for people of color, causing other journalists to contemplate resigning due to fear of being treated unfairly. Lattouf believes her sacking and the treatment of other journalists have a chilling effect on journalism, as many are now afraid to report without bias.

In her Fair Work Commission complaint, Lattouf states that her termination is linked to her social media posts on the Israel-Hamas war, particularly one highlighting a Human Rights Watch post about the alleged use of starvation as a weapon of war by the Israeli government in Gaza. She further claims that her treatment violates the Fair Work Act.

With the assistance of prominent workplace lawyer Josh Bornstein, Lattouf has now expanded her complaint to include allegations of racial discrimination based on her ethnicity. The legal team at Maurice Blackburn, representing Lattouf, intends to show that the ABC systematically discriminates against individuals of Arab or Muslim backgrounds, along with other people of color.

In response to the situation, Lattouf demands a detailed public apology, compensation for harm to her reputation and emotional distress, and the offer of a similar on-air role by the ABC. Additionally, they seek penalties to deter the ABC from repeating such conduct.