Support of Grace Tame

April 14, 2026

I agree with the article on the Grace Tame Foundation. Quiet pressure on funding is killing democratic debate.

Three points.

First, the problem is the pro‑Israel advocacy groups like AIJAC and the Zionist Federation of Australia. They actively monitor criticism of Israel and react quickly.

Second, no other lobby in Australia matches their power and speed. They pressure event bookers, sponsors, and universities whenever someone criticises Israeli policy or uses the word “genocide” about Gaza. This is not a conspiracy. It is organised advocacy. The question is whether it operates transparently.

Third, the term “genocide” is still contested in international law. The ICJ has not made a final ruling. But the speed with which pro‑Israel groups shut down any mention of the word clearly demonstrates their influence.

A child abuse survivor and former Australian of the Year lost her foundation’s funding after protesting the Israeli president’s visit. The public deserves to know who pressured her sponsors and why.

The original article asked institutions to come forward and explain. I support that call. Until they do, we will rightly suspect that powerful lobbies are silencing dissent through fear, not argument.