Antoinette Lattouf has defended Rugby Australia's decision to fire Israel Folau in a controversial Instagram post, despite now claiming she was unfairly dismissed by the ABC after speaking out about the conflict in the Middle East.
In an application to the Fair Work Commission on Friday, the presenter claimed she was 'unlawfully dismissed' after posting a series of pro-Palestinian posts on her social media pages.
However, Lattouf supported the decision to fire Folau over a breach of social media protocols during an appearance on ABC's Q+A in April 2021.
Folau had his Wallabies contract ripped up after writing in a controversial Instagram post in January 2019 that “hell awaits gays”.
“If we talk about the reason why Israel Folau was withdrawn, it was because he violated social media protocols and he was asked not to post things like this,” Lattouf said.
“So it wasn't about what he said; it was about his professional behavior and what was expected of him.
'Personally I believe he should have resigned, I don't believe he should spread such hatred and I have seen the damage [it causes].'
During an appearance on the ABC program Q+A in April 2021, Antoinette Lattouf supported the decision to fire Folau due to a breach of social media protocols.
However, Lattouf said Folau 'should' be able to return to the NRL two years later.
“There was a Penrith Panthers player who was charged and found guilty of filming and distributing a sexual act without that person's consent – he is now working again.
“I think it's very dangerous if we bring back convicted criminals and then bring back someone who has broken social media protocol and caused harm.
“I think he should have been reprimanded the way he was, but I think it's probably time for him to come back.”
Lattouf had replaced Sarah Macdonald as presenter of the ABC Sydney Mornings radio program last week, but was told on Wednesday that she was no longer needed for her shifts on Thursday and Friday.
“ABC Sydney casual presenter Antoinette Lattouf will be off-air for her remaining two shifts this week,” an ABC spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.
Her submission to the Fair Work Commission alleges she was dismissed after sharing a Human Rights Watch Instagram post, in breach of the ABC's policy.
It also claims ABC chief executive David Anderson made the decision to fire Ms Lattouf.
Rugby Australia ripped up Folau's Wallabies contract after he wrote in an Instagram post in January 2019 that 'hell awaits gays' (he is pictured in May)
Lattouf had replaced Sarah Macdonald as presenter of the ABC Sydney Mornings radio program last week, but was told she was no longer needed for her shifts on Thursdays and Fridays.
Her wrongful dismissal claim could become a landmark amid rising tensions in the Australian media over how to cover the Israel-Gaza war.
Late on Wednesday evening, Ms Lattouf posted on Instagram that she was “very disappointed by the ABC's decision today”.
“I believe I was wrongfully dismissed,” she said.
“This is not a victory for journalism or critical, honest thinking. I am currently considering my legal options.'
The ABC has a strict editorial policy, requiring staff to be impartial in their reporting and to protect the broadcaster's reputation.
“An ill-considered post or tweet could immediately jeopardize this perception of impartiality,” the ABC rules say.
Lattouf claims ABC executive David Anderson (pictured) made the decision to terminate
It is understood Ms Lattouf was fired following a series of complaints from the Jewish community over reports she shared about Israel's military response on October 7.
Ms Lattouf recently co-authored an article questioning the veracity of viral footage showing pro-Palestinian activists chanting “gas the Jews” during an October protest at the Sydney Opera House.
“Analysis of the Aust Jewish Association videos by fact-checker RMIT CrossCheck found a number of clues suggesting the audio was edited…,” she claimed.
In another post from November, Lattouf wrote: “We need a PERMANENT ceasefire and must address the ROOT of the problem: the unlawful occupation of Palestine.”
In a video posted to Instagram in October, Lattouf attempted to analyze the conflict between Israel and Palestine, calling both Hamas and the Israeli government “extremists.”