Fulwell CEO Deletes Post Calling Al Jazeera Reporter a Terrorist in Disguise

EXCLUSIVE: Leo Pearlman, co-CEO of Fulwell Entertainment, which is supported by LeBron James, has removed a social media post where he claimed that a well-known Al Jazeera journalist, who was killed in an Israeli attack this month, was a terrorist “spokesperson.”

In a LinkedIn post, where Pearlman has often expressed opinions about the Gaza conflict since the attacks in Israel on October 7, the British producer claimed that Anas Al-Sharif was a “Hamas operative” instead of a journalist. He also strongly criticized Al Jazeera, referring to its Arabic division as a “propaganda arm of Hamas” and a “weaponized platform advancing Qatar’s Islamist agenda.”

The Muara Digital Team reached out to Pearlman to find out why his LinkedIn post was taken down just hours after it was posted on Wednesday. He has not yet responded to the request for comment.

Pearlman’s statements closely match Israel’s stance regarding Al-Sharif, who was killed in a targeted attack near Gaza City’s al-Shifa Hospital on August 10, along with three other Al Jazeera reporters. The Israeli Defense Forces claimed that Al-Sharif “led a terrorist cell within Hamas.”

Israel had previously released documents asserting they provided “clear evidence” of Al-Sharif’s connections to Hamas, although these claims have not been confirmed by independent sources. BBC News and CNN have reported that Al-Sharif worked with a Hamas media group in Gaza prior to October 7, but the 28-year-old stated he had “no political ties” as recently as last month. Al-Sharif, who began working at Al Jazeera in December 2023, has criticized the Hamas leadership, particularly its stance on a ceasefire.

The passing of Al-Sharif has been criticized by the United Nations Human Rights Office, Reporters Without Borders, the Foreign Press Association, and the Committee to Protect Journalists. “RSF strongly denounces the killing of six media workers by the Israeli military, which once again occurs under the pretense of terrorism allegations against a journalist,” stated Thibaut Bruttin, head of Reporters Without Borders, in a statement.

In his LinkedIn post (reprinted in full below), Pearlman stated: “The passing of Anas Al-Sharif in Gaza last week led to a wave of anger, with claims that Israel deliberately targets journalists to ‘suppress the truth.’ The reality regarding Al-Sharif is that he wasn’t a journalist at all, but rather a Hamas agent.”

He continued, “The strength of Al Jazeera Arabic is in its attire, the illusion of being a genuine, independent news organization. However, it was established as Qatar’s ideological tool and has consistently fulfilled that purpose. The threat extends beyond just propaganda. Terrorists pretending to be journalists tarnish the profession and endanger real war reporters. We must stop supporting this illusion.”

Pearlman’s post faced criticism from professionals in the industry. A well-known journalist told the Muara Digital Team that the opinions shared have “no place” within the media sector. “He targets everyone. Everyone is Hamas,” the individual remarked. Another person stated, “Labeling all Gaza journalists as fighters puts a target on every war correspondent’s back.”

Pearlman was one of the original partners at Fulwell 73, a company known for creating programs such asThe Late Late Show featuring James Corden, The Kardashians, and Friends: The Reunion. Fulwell 73 combined with James’ SpringHill Company last year., ultimately establishing Fulwell Entertainment. Pearlman holds the position of joint CEO at the company alongside Maverick Carter, who previously managed SpringHill.

Below is the complete text of Pearlman’s original LinkedIn post:

Al Jazeera Media Network (Arabic) is not a genuine news outlet, but rather a propaganda arm of Hamas, funded by Qatar, and employs individuals who are not neutral journalists but rather supporters of terrorists and, in certain instances, terrorists themselves. Al Jazeera Media Network (English) often relies on the same sources for its information, spreading propaganda into the mainstream.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, and even the Palestinian Authority have prohibited them. Why? Because these governments, which frequently clash with one another, all agree on one point: Al Jazeera is not a news organization, but a tool used to advance Qatar’s Islamist agenda, supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and the extremist groups it fosters: Hamas, Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Islamic Jihad.

The passing of Anas Al-Sharif in Gaza last week led to widespread anger, with claims that Israel deliberately targets journalists to “cover up the truth.” The reality about Al-Sharif is that he was not a journalist, but rather a Hamas agent, part of its elite Nukhba Battalion, who was recruited in 2013, served as a leader of a rocket-launch team, received payment, and had a Hamas identification number: 305342. His social media posts displayed pride in the October 7th attack, joy over the synagogue killings, and photos with Hamas officials. He wasn’t merely documenting Jewish murders, but actively involved in them.

He wasn’t the only one. In the previous year, three Israeli captives were freed from the Gaza residence of Abdallah Aljamal, another “journalist,” who was also affiliated with Hamas, served as a spokesperson, and frequently contributed as a writer and editor for Al Jazeera Online. His residence was not a newsroom, but a detention facility. As Middle East expert Bassam Tawil noted: “no journalist functions in Gaza without Hamas’s permission…Al Jazeera journalism is a contradiction.”

Even with this knowledge, supporters continue to defend. Ian Williams, president of the Foreign Press Association in New York, stated that despite being a member of Hamas, Al-Sharif should have been protected because he “also” asserted he was a journalist. This is the ridiculous situation we have arrived at: launch rockets at civilians, hold hostages in your home, celebrate mass killings, but wear a press badge and suddenly you are immune.

This represents a small-scale example of a larger deception. The strength of Al Jazeera Arabic comes from its appearance, the illusion of being a credible, autonomous news organization. However, it was established as a tool for Qatar’s ideological goals and has consistently fulfilled that purpose. The threat extends beyond just propaganda. Individuals pretending to be journalists while being involved in terrorism tarnish the profession and endanger genuine war reporters.

We must cease supporting the illusion. Al Jazeera Arabic is not “biased” media; it serves as a platform for terrorists, nothing more, nothing less. Considering it a valid news source is not only naive, but also shocking. Disregarding the fact that their content is propaganda and spreading their messages insults the memory of those killed on October 7th and strengthens the Hamas terrorist regime that continues to oppress its own citizens.

The globe is being manipulated, and many are eager to take part.