A New York immigration attorney has filed a defamation lawsuit against Al Jazeera Media Network, alleging the international news outlet falsely accused him of being paid by the Israeli government to spread propaganda.
The complaint, filed Aug. 27, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, names Al Jazeera Media Network and its U.S. subsidiary, Al Jazeera International (USA) LLC, as defendants.
Plaintiff Abraham Hamra claims the network defamed him in a widely circulated Instagram post that reached over 6.4 million followers.
The post allegedly included a photo of Hamra and text stating he was "reportedly paid" by the Israeli government to visit aid sites in Gaza as part of a propaganda effort. Hamra, a practicing attorney at Cohen, Tucker & Ades P.C. and a recognized figure in the immigration law field, denies any connection to the Israeli government and says he has never accepted any such payments.
According to the complaint, the post falsely implies that Hamra violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), a serious federal offense involving unregistered activity on behalf of a foreign government. Hamra contends that the statement was published without any fact-checking or attempt to contact him for comment.
“Defendants knew or should have known the statement was false at the time of publication,” the complaint states.
Hamra is seeking more than $1 million in compensatory damages for reputational harm, lost business opportunities, emotional distress, and public humiliation. He also seeks punitive damages, alleging the network acted with reckless disregard for the truth. The complaint further accuses Al Jazeera of harboring anti-Israel bias and engaging in what Hamra describes as a pattern of anti-Semitic commentary.
Headquartered in Qatar, Al Jazeera Media Network distributes news content globally, including in the United States through Al Jazeera International (USA) LLC, which operates from Washington, D.C. The complaint argues that Al Jazeera’s digital presence and content distribution within New York establish sufficient legal grounds for jurisdiction.
Hamra demands not only financial compensation but also seeks costs and attorneys' fees along with other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The case is identified under Civ. No. 1:25-cv-4774.
Source: 225cv04774_Hamra_v_Al_Jazeera_Media_Network_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf