(JNS.org) Al Jazeera America, the cable news operator that is funded by Qatar’s government, last week responded to allegations by a former employee that a top executive engaged in antisemitic, anti-American, and sexist behavior. “Al Jazeera America does not tolerate any discriminatory conduct and we take great pride in the diversity of our organization and its leadership,” said Al Jazeera CEO Ehab Al Shihabi. “The recent attacks on us as being anti-Semitic, sexist and anti-American are absurd.”

Matthew Luke, who was fired from Al Jazeera America in February, filed a $15 million lawsuit for alleged wrongful termination in retaliation for his complaints regarding Al Jazeera America executive Osman Mahmud. Luke claimed that Mahmud intentionally excluded women from emails and meetings relevant to their assignments, in addition to making antisemitic and anti-American remarks. Luke also alleged that Mahmud sought to replace an Israeli cameraman with a Palestinian one.