Tame apologises – but with little grace

Six months after dismissing the October 7 rapes as "propoganda" which had been "debunked", Grace Tame has "clarified" her remarks, saying she believes Israeli survivors of sexual violence.

The former Australian of the Year and prominent campaigner against secular violence apologised for harm caused by the "mischaracterisation" of her comments but not for the comments themselves.

“There is something I have wanted to clarify for a while, which I regret not clarifying sooner," Tame said in a video posted on Instagram today.

"I stand with survivors of sexual violence everywhere, no matter who they are. Comments I made on ABC radio in March this year were misinterpreted to mean that I disbelieve Israeli survivors of sexual violence. This is not the case. I always have, and always will stand with survivors of sexual violence.

“Human Rights Watch was unable to find evidence to support the claim that Israeli women were raped en masse on October 7, 2023. However, I do not deny the legitimate accusations of rape made by individual Israeli women, including accounts of gang rape. I do not hate Israelis. I do not hate Jewish people.

“I abhor the crimes of the State of Israel. I believe Israeli survivors. I believe Jewish survivors as I believe all survivors. While the intention of my remarks was not to imply otherwise, I acknowledge and sincerely apologise for any harm their mischaracterisation has caused.”

Tame's comments come on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, when repentence and forgiveness are the subject of the season but Jewish leaders were quick to respond that her remarks fall short of a meaningful apology.

National Council of Jewish Women president Lynda Ben-Menashe said Tame had not dealt with the real problem her earlier comments caused, which had fanned the flames of incitement against Australian Jews.