Grace Tame apologises for comments labelling rape of Israeli women during Hamas attacks ‘propaganda’

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 11, 2026

Grace Tame apologized for her earlier remarks dismissing reports of sexual violence against Israeli women during the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks, clarifying that she supports all survivors and did not intend to discredit individual accounts. Her apology comes after intense criticism from the Jewish community and amid ongoing debates over the credibility of these reports, underscoring the challenges in addressing sensitive human rights issues amid conflict.

Grace Tame has issued an apology for comments she made earlier this year in which she characterized reports of sexual violence against Israeli women during the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks as "propaganda" and "debunked." Speaking in an Instagram video on Thursday, the former Australian of the Year clarified that her remarks were misinterpreted and reiterated her support for survivors of sexual violence regardless of their background.

During the video, Tame emphasized, "I stand with survivors of sexual violence everywhere, no matter who they are." She explained that her comments on an ABC radio interview in March were not intended to cast doubt on individual survivors’ accounts but rather reflected Human Rights Watch’s inability to find evidence supporting claims of widespread rape of Israeli women during the specified attacks.

"However, I do not deny the legitimate accusations of rape made by individual Israeli women, including accounts of gang-rape," Tame stated. She also affirmed, "I do not hate Israelis. I do not hate Jewish people. I abhor the crimes of the State of Israel." She expressed regret for any harm caused by the way her words were perceived and reaffirmed her belief in all survivors of sexual violence.

The apology followed strong criticism from members of the Jewish community. Lynda Ben-Menashe, president of the National Council of Jewish Women Australia, described Tame’s statement as inadequate. Ben-Menashe said, "Saving she’s sorry for how people interpreted her words is not an apology. It neither rehabilitates her nor reverses the damage her original words did to us," referring to Tame’s earlier allegation that reports of sexual assaults were "debunked propaganda." Ben-Menashe contended that Tame’s comments added to the pain experienced by survivors and stoked further incitement.

In March, during the ABC interview, Tame was asked about her response to reports of sexual assaults on Israeli women related to the Hamas incursion. Tame replied, “I’m not going to sink to the level of entertaining any kind of propaganda” and stated that such claims had been "debunked."

The veracity of sexual violence reports related to the 7 October attacks remains contested. The United Nations’ special envoy on sexual violence in conflict concluded in 2024 that there are “reasonable grounds” to believe that sexual assaults, including rape and gang rape, occurred in multiple locations during the Hamas offensive.

Tame’s March comments also drew a rebuke from the Israeli embassy in Canberra, which accused her of losing her “moral compass.” Following the broadcast, the ABC’s ombudsman office received 145 complaints concerning the interview, with an additional four complaints raising similar issues.

The controversy surrounding Tame’s remarks highlights the sensitivities and complexities in public discourse related to the ongoing conflict and reported human rights violations.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.