ABC takes down reporter's TikTok about boycotting Israeli products in second conflict controversy in 24 hours

The ABC has released a TikTok story that depicted consumer boycotts against Israel in a flattering light.

ABC reporter Amal Wehbe's social media story about the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) protest movement targeting goods and products perceived to favor Israel was suddenly pulled from the ABC TikTok account on Thursday morning.

The story concerns a restaurant owner who suggests that the only way to harm Israel is to “fight money with money.”

Reporter Ms Webhe, who identifies herself as Palestinian on her TikTok page and has previously worked for ABC's children's current affairs show Behind the News, promised her viewers to answer the question of why people are boycotting Coca-Cola.

She interviewed the owner of Cedar Wrap, a Lebanese restaurant in Bankstown, western Sydney, who was identified only as 'Oz' and brandished a microphone with a large ABC logo on it during his performances.

Oz said he had been boycotting Israeli and American products for two months, the most notable example being Coca-Cola and other soft drinks from the giant American beverage company.

Ms Wehbe explained that “the BDS site states that Coca-Cola operates a factory in Adera, which is considered illegal under international law.”

The report, which lasted just over a minute, contained no criticism of the BDS movement, focusing instead on whether it has been successful in punishing companies and changing their stance toward Israel.

“There has been a lot more talk about BDS since October 7 and organizers say it is making a difference,” Ms Wehbe said.

The report then goes back to Oz. 'Many people say that boycotting doesn't work. Boycotting is actually very important,” he said.

'The only way to fight money is with money.'

Ms Wehbe gives her withdrawal summary.

“So it's hard to say how much financial impact this move will have on a brand, but organizers say the change in customer sentiment is powerful in itself,” she said.

A Lebanese restaurant owner told how he stopped buying Coca Cola and started using an alternative brand

Chairman of the Commission against Defamation, Dr Dvir Abramovich, said the report was 'incredible'.

“While I welcome the removal of the video, I call on the board and management to investigate this alarming matter,” he said.

“This report has crossed so many red lines that I've stopped counting.”

He claimed TikTok was especially inflammatory 'at a time of skyrocketing anti-Semitism'

“If Jewish students are attacked in schools and universities because of who they are and because they support Israel, this story will only fan the flames of hostility,” Dr. Abramovich said.

Cedar Wrap was contacted but declined to comment further.

The ABC has been asked for comment.

It comes as a fill-in radio presenter for the ABC was axed after sharing a series of pro-Palestine posts on social media.

Antoinette Lattouf has threatened legal action after being fired by the ABC from an informal announcing role for breaching the broadcaster's social media code

Antoinette Lattouf hosted ABC Sydney mornings this week, filling in for Sarah Macdonald.

However, on Wednesday afternoon she was told that she would no longer appear on air.

A spokesperson for the national broadcaster confirmed to Ny Breaking Australia that “ABC Sydney casual presenter Antoinette Lattouf will be off-air for her remaining two shifts this week.”

ABC chairman Ita Buttrose was reportedly “furious” about Ms Lattouf's appointment to the informal role after the ABC board received a series of complaints about her position on the Israel-Hamas conflict, an insider told the Australian newspaper.

Ny Breaking Australia understands the complaints center over social media posts Ms Lattouf made that were critical of the Jewish state in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks.

Lattouf recently co-wrote an article questioning the veracity of claims that pro-Palestinian protesters had shouted “gas the Jews” at a rally outside the Sydney Opera House, sparking a social media backlash.