Sonny Bill Williams ‘spoken to’ by Nine over inflammatory Israel rape ‘hoax’ tweets

Controversial former sport star Sonny Bill Williams has been spoken to by his employer over his social media posts claiming many atrocities committed by terror group Hamas are “not true”.

Sonny Bill Williams has been cautioned by Channel 9 management over a series of controversial personal social media posts. Pictures: Getty Images/Supplied

Former All Black Sonny Bill Williams has been cautioned by Channel 9 management over a series of controversial personal social media posts he made claiming horrific atrocities committed by Hamas were “proven to be untrue”.

The former boxer, rugby union and rugby player made an extended video of himself speaking to the camera, just before the New Year, garnering more than a million views on X, denying females hostages were raped or babies burnt alive.

Channel 9 told Jewish groups it was taking the social media posts “very seriously”, and members of the public had also complained about his postings.

In his post, Mr Williams claimed: “Hostages treated worse than animals and raped, proven to be untrue.

“Children bound together and burnt alive, proven to be untrue.

Sonny Bill Williams’ video sparked heated debate. Picture: X

“Women, pregnant women, their foetuses opened and removed proven to be untrue.”

On January 1, Mr Williams shared another social media claim alleging “NY Times Hamas rape Hoax”.

The New York Times had just published horrific new details about a pattern of rape, mutilation and extreme brutality by Hamas.

Sonny Bill Williams shared a claim that the New York Times story about rapes of Israeli women was a "hoax". Photo: Twitter / Supplied

Members of the Jewish community raised concerns about Mr Williams’ rape denials with Channel 9 — whose company Stan contracts Mr Williams to provide rugby union and rugby league coverage.

It is understood Jewish women particularly were upset over the claims.

Channel 9 responded to the Jewish groups saying: “Nine does not condone terrorism in any way and is taking the concerns which you have raised about Mr William’s social media posts (which have been raised by other members of the public too), very seriously.”

Sonny Bill Williams Instagram posts. Supplied

“Our management team has been in contact with Mr Williams and his manager since October to seek to ensure he understands the appropriate bounds on what he can be posting on his personal social media accounts and, in light of his recent postings, has again reminded him of this.”

Mr Williams, who lives in Sydney, went on to say in his video that what had been “proven to be true” was “8000 kids have been killed since October 7.”

It is understood Nine’s employee contract requires all staff to “not make any statement ... including on social media, which disparages or could damage the reputation of the company.”

Nine has been approached for comment.

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