Usman Khawaja Supports Axed Cricket Journalist Over Gaza Social Media Posts

Australian Opener Backs Peter Lalor After SEN Drops Him from Cricket Coverage

February 6, 2025 – Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has spoken out in support of veteran journalist Peter Lalor, who was removed from SEN’s radio coverage of Australia’s Test series in Sri Lanka following his social media posts on the war in Gaza.

Lalor, a highly respected cricket writer and former chief cricket reporter for The Australian, revealed that he was dropped from coverage during the first Test in Galle after complaints about his retweeting of posts regarding Gaza.

“I figured, at some point, there would be an attempt to take me down, and it has happened,” Lalor wrote in a post on his Cricket Et Al Substack.

Lalor Rejects Accusations of Antisemitism

Lalor stated that he was told his tweets were "not balanced" and "insensitive" to one side, with accusations of antisemitism, which he strongly denied.

“I was asked by station boss Craig Hutchison 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,” Lalor explained.

Khawaja: ‘Standing Up for Gaza is Not Antisemitic’

Khawaja, who scored a double century in the same match Lalor was removed from, responded to the news with shock and disappointment.

Posting on Instagram, he wrote:

"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. It has everything to do with justice and human rights."

Khawaja, known for his outspoken support for Palestinians, added:

“Peter is a good guy with a good heart. He deserves better.”

SEN Defends Decision

SEN Radio issued a statement acknowledging the divergent views on the issue.

“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,” Hutchison said.

“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.”

Lalor Stands by His Posts

Lalor defended his decision to continue posting about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stating that he was trying to highlight the suffering of innocent civilians.

“I cannot remain quiet when so many innocent people are being slaughtered. I think I am a compassionate person. I believe I would do the same no matter who was responsible for the wholesale slaughter of so many innocent people and the destruction of their cities,” he wrote.

Despite his removal from SEN, Lalor appears determined to continue using his platform to discuss issues beyond cricket.

The second Test between Australia and Sri Lanka begins on Thursday.