Australia cricketer Usman Khawaja boycotts radio station that sacked pro-Gaza journalist
Prominent Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has boycotted sports radio station SEN after it sacked journalist Peter Lalor for his outspoken support of Palestinian human rights.
Khawaja refused an interview with SEN after the first day of Australia's first test match against the West Indies in Barbados.
He was seen approaching two SEN broadcasters off the field of play, before spotting the SEN branding on their microphone, raising a hand at them and walking away.
Khawaja, who has been an Australian international cricketer since 2011, has regularly criticised Israel's war on Gaza in public.
In February, Lalor's freelance job with SEN's cricket commentary team was cancelled after station chief Craig Hutchison claimed his pro-Palestinian social media posts were distressing to Jewish Australians.
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After he was sacked, Lalor said: "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."
Khawaja criticised the decision at the time, saying: "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 has not commented on why he declined an interview with SEN. Lalor said: "Usman is a man of principle whose support I valued greatly when I was dismissed and whose ongoing support I appreciate."
In December 2023, during a training session, Khawaja was seen with the phrases "Freedom is a human right" and "All lives are equal" written on his boots in the colours of the Palestinian flag.
"The ICC [International Cricket Council] have told me I can't wear my shoes on the field because they believe it's a political statement under their guidelines," Khawaja said at the time.
"I don't believe in this though. It's a humanitarian appeal. I will respect their view and decision, but I will fight it and seek to get an approval.
"Freedom is a human right."
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