Key facts
- Grace Tame apologized for calling rape claims by Israeli women during the October 7 Hamas attacks "propaganda" and "debunked."
- Tame stated her comments were misinterpreted and she stands with all survivors of sexual violence.
- She cited Human Rights Watch's inability to find evidence of mass rape on October 7, but acknowledged legitimate accusations by individual women.
- The National Council of Jewish Women Australia stated Tame's statement was not a true apology.
- In a March interview, Tame questioned the claims, stating "those things have been debunked."
- A UN special envoy found "reasonable grounds" for sexual assaults, including rape, during the attacks.
Grace Tame, the former Australian of the Year, has issued an apology for comments made in March that labeled claims of rape against Israeli women during the October 7 Hamas attacks as "propaganda" and "debunked." In an Instagram video posted on Thursday, Tame clarified her remarks, stating they were misinterpreted and that she unequivocally stands with survivors of sexual violence everywhere.
Tame explained that Human Rights Watch had been unable to find evidence to support claims of mass rape on October 7, but she affirmed her belief in the legitimate accusations of rape made by individual Israeli women, including accounts of gang-rape. She stated, "I do not hate Israelis. I do not hate Jewish people. I abhor the crimes of the State of Israel." She added, "I believe Israeli survivors, I believe Jewish survivors, as I believe all survivors."