The Israeli Embassy in Canberra has expressed concern over comments made by former Australian of the Year Grace Tame regarding reports of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas.
Controversial Statements and Embassy Response
Ms. Tame discussed her interpretation of the phrase “globalise the intifada” during an appearance on ABC Radio Sydney on Monday. She stated she understood the phrase to mean “a call for widespread resistance” against the actions of Israel. This followed criticism from federal MPs and the NSW premier more than a month prior, stemming from Ms. Tame leading a chant using the same phrase at a rally protesting the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Australia.
The phrase “Globalise the Intifada” is considered contentious, with the New South Wales state government considering outlawing it under revised hate speech laws. Members of the Jewish community have described it as a call for violence.
Ms. Tame also responded to accusations of selective outrage, stating she had not spoken on behalf of women believed to have been sexually assaulted during the October 7, 2023 attacks. She said, “I’m not going to sink to the level of entertaining any kind of propaganda,” and claimed, “Those things have been debunked.” She added, “Awful things are being perpetrated by both sides… This is not selective outrage. I’m outraged by all of the violence.”
The Embassy of Israel responded with a statement accusing Ms. Tame of losing her “moral compass,” stating that denying documented sexual violence and drawing false equivalences to fit an anti-Israel or anti-Jewish narrative is a loss of moral principles.
Calls for Dialogue
Lynda Ben-Menashe of the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia described Ms. Tame’s comments as “deeply upsetting,” noting her previous advocacy for victims of sexual violence. She expressed a willingness to engage in conversation with Ms. Tame, stating, “I’d be really happy to sit down with Grace and have a conversation about this. I’m sure I’ve got a lot to learn from her, but I suppose she might have something to learn from us, as well.”
Ms. Tame declined to comment when approached by ABC News. She reiterated her commitment to advocating for the safety of all people, regardless of their background.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the phrase “globalise the intifada”?
According to the source, “globalise the intifada” is a contentious phrase that the state government has been considering outlawing under revised hate speech laws. It is understood by Ms. Tame to be a call for widespread resistance against the actions of Israel.
What did the Israeli Embassy say about Grace Tame’s comments?
The Embassy of Israel stated that Ms. Tame had “lost her moral compass” after she claimed testimony of sexual violence by Hamas terrorists had been “debunked.”
What did UN officials find regarding sexual violence during the October 7 attacks?
United Nations officials in 2024 found there were reasonable grounds to believe conflict-related sexual violence — including rape and gang-rape — occurred at several locations during Hamas’s October 7 attacks on Israel.
Given the sensitivity of this issue, how might public discourse evolve as more information comes to light?