An ABC radio host who was abruptly sacked in December over a social media post about Gaza has begun crowd-funding for her legal fees as she ramps up her fight against the public broadcaster.

Award-winning journalist Antoinette Lattouf was filling in for ABC Sydney’s Mornings host Sarah Macdonald, who was on leave, but was sacked just three days after taking the seat.

Lattouf was reportedly fired over a Human Rights Watch post she shared about Israel “using starvation of civilians as a weapon of war in Gaza”, after she had been directed not to post about “matters of controversy”.

On Tuesday, Lattouf posted on X that she was “crowd-funding for my legal fees” with the hashtag #NoFearNoFavour.

It came as media outlets reported that a group of pro-Israel lawyers ran a co-ordinated campaign pressuring the ABC against Lattouf.

Texts from a private WhatsApp messaging group, published by Nine newspapers, show discussion between Lawyers for Israel members, including a call to action to pressure ABC bosses to sack Lattouf.

“It’s important ABC hears from not just individuals in the community but specifically lawyers so they feel there is an actual legal threat,” one message reads.

“I have basically written to them and told them I expect a proper response, not a generic one, by COB today or I would look to engage senior counsel.

“I know there is probably no actionable offence against the ABC but I didn’t say I would be taking one – just investigating one. I have said that they should be terminating her employment immediately.”

Another message reads: “Why is the ABC allowing this woman to host a radio show?” and a member responded: “Exactly, which is why we need to stamp it out.”

Lattouf’s GoFundMe page, organised by Lauren Dubois, has the hashtag #WeStandWithAntoinette and reads: “Antoinette Lattouf, a respected media personality, was fired on the spot by the ABC for allegedly breaching their social policy by sharing posts in relation to the humanitarian crisis in Israel and Palestine.

“We stand with Antoinette and support the rights of workers to be able to share news that expresses an opinion or reinforces a fact, without fear of retribution.

“If you agree, please join me in donating to Antoinette’s legal fees to support her.

“The ABC is answerable to the Australian public, and we the Australian public will hold the broadcaster accountable.

“We must help her fight this decision and we must fight for the right of all of us to share what’s happening around the world, without fear of professional reprimand.

“Seeking and speaking the truth, and sharing that truth with others, should never be punishable, it’s a freedom and a right we all have an obligation to defend.”

At the time she was sacked, Lattouf reacted by saying she was “very disappointed” with the ABC’s decision.

“I believe I was terminated unlawfully. This is not a win for journalism or critical, fair thinking,” she said in December.

Lattouf’s former ABC profile shows she is a multi-award-winning journalist, author, columnist and media commentator and the co-founder of Media Diversity Australia, a non-profit organisation that aims to increase cultural and linguistic diversity in the media.

She is also a former ABC News reporter.

“She’s worked in television, online and radio at Network 10. SBS, ABC and triple j,” her online profile states.

“She’s been a guest commentator on ABC’s Q&A, The Drum, SBS Insight, Sky News, Network Ten’s The Project, Studio10 and The Feed and writes columns for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian, Women’s Agenda and Mamamia.”

In 2022, Lattouf became a co-host of Listnr’s daily news podcast The Briefing.

Her first book, How to Lose Friends and Influence White People, was published by Penguin Random House in May 2022. It is described as a “witty and approachable anti-racism guide that uses warmth, humour, and research to share evidence-based solutions that can be used by anyone”.

Lattouf also gave a TEDx Sydney talk in 2022 titled “Reverse discrimination doesn’t exist, but tokenism does”.

In 2019, she was named among the Australian Financial Review’s 100 women of influence.

In 2021 she was awarded a Women’s Agenda leadership award. In 2022, she was a Third Sector awards influencer of the year finalist.