An internal investigation into complaints about Lebanese ABC radio host Antoinette Lattouf uncovered her prior social media posts containing “anti-Semitic hatred,” which led to her dismissal after just three days on air in December 2023. Lattouf was presenting the Mornings show temporarily when she shared a Human Rights Watch post accusing Israel of using starvation as a “weapon of war” in Gaza. Following complaints received after her first broadcast, ABC’s then-managing director David Anderson reviewed her social media and expressed concerns about perceived bias due to her past posts.
Lattouf’s previous comments, framed as a response to hate mail, included inflammatory statements regarding Israel’s actions towards Palestinians. ABC barrister Ian Neil SC stated that while the complaints did not directly influence Lattouf’s dismissal, her posts raised substantial concerns about her impartiality as a broadcaster. The ABC maintained that her departure was linked to adherence to editorial guidelines, particularly a directive from content director Elizabeth Green that discouraged commentary on Israel and Gaza. Lattouf denies receiving this directive and claims her dismissal was a capitulation to pro-Israeli lobbyists. She is pursuing legal action against the ABC for damages and penalties.