Grace Tame says her livelihood has been completely destroyed and she's lost 'several close friends for speaking the truth' at pro-Palestine rally

Grace Tame says her livelihood has been 'completely destroyed' in the month since she shouted 'globalise the intifada' at a pro-Palestine rally.

The former Australian of the Year penned a first-person piece for the Crikey website in which she claimed to have been the subject of a 'concerted smear campaign' by conservative politicians and media.

'I do not support violence,' she wrote in the piece published on Friday. 'I do not condone antisemitism, Islamophobia or hatred of any kind. 

'I am a human rights activist who advocates for the safety of all children, no matter their background.'

Tame led chants of 'globalise the intifada' outside Sydney's Town Hall in February at a rally protesting Israeli President Isaac Herzog's state visit. 

'In the weeks following, countless headlines, opinion pieces, talk-show segments and radio interviews have been churned out, framing me as an antisemite and terrorist sympathiser who promotes violence,' she wrote. 

'I've lost several close friends for speaking the truth. I've been publicly vilified over and over and over again. In under a month, my livelihood has been completely destroyed.'

Tame insisted she did not support violence or condone antisemitism, Islamophobia 'or hatred of any kind'.

Grace Tame says her livelihood has been 'completely destroyed' in the month since she shouted 'globalise the intifada' at a pro-Palestine rally (above)

Grace Tame says her livelihood has been 'completely destroyed' in the month since she shouted 'globalise the intifada' at a pro-Palestine rally (above) 

'I shouldn't have to say this, but I'm currently up against a well-oiled, well-funded political propaganda machine whose aim is to frighten everyone into complicity by maligning its critics,' she wrote. 

Tame, who is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, previously revealed her lucrative speaking gigs had all but dried up in the wake of her appearance at the Town Hall protest.

The 31-year-old admitted during a speech at the No to Violence conference in Hobart on Thursday, she had no more speaking engagements for the rest of the year.

'This is my last presentation of the year and it's only March,' she said.

Tame said she had lost 'three speaking engagements on the theme of child safety due to an ongoing media smear campaign'. 

The Daily Mail understands Tame charged about $20,000 per corporate speaking event, as of 2023.

After her comments were reported by the ABC, Tame took to Instagram to rip into the national broadcaster, accusing it of pandering to the 'pro-Israel lobby'.

Tame has drawn condemnation from the Jewish community.

Tame (above) penned a first-person piece for the Crikey website in which she claimed to have been the subject of a 'concerted smear campaign' by conservative politicians and media

Tame (above) penned a first-person piece for the Crikey website in which she claimed to have been the subject of a 'concerted smear campaign' by conservative politicians and media

Her performance at the Herzog rally came two months after the December terrorist attack on a Hannukah celebration at Bondi Beach in which 15 people were killed.

Tame blasted the ABC on Thursday for singling out her comments about not supporting antisemitism.

'We can always rely on our ABC for more lopsided reporting that preferences the pro-Israel lobby's position ahead of everyone else's,' she fumed.

Tame accused the ABC of peddling 'right-wing propaganda' as she defended the 'globalise the intifada' chant.

'Intifadas' refer to two violent uprisings in the Middle East which involved the deliberate targeting of innocent civilians - although Tame has always indicated she only supports peaceful action.

'Both intifadas began as peaceful protests, boycotts and labour strikes in response to Israel's ongoing violent oppression,' Tame wrote on Instagram.

'Omitting this context erases history and Palestinians themselves. Two wrongs don't make a right, but they sure do make right-wing propaganda.'

Tame faced calls to be stripped of her 2021 Australian of the Year honour in the wake of her speech at the Herzog demonstration. 

Tame has revealed she has no more speaking engagements for the rest of the year, blaming it on a smear campaign. She is pictured at an International Women's Day event on March 4

Tame has revealed she has no more speaking engagements for the rest of the year, blaming it on a smear campaign. She is pictured at an International Women's Day event on March 4

Read More Grace Tame is dropped from events with no more speaking engagements for the rest of the year article image

More than 25,000 Australians signed a petition calling for authorities to charge Tame with '[alleged] criminal incitement to violence under existing Australian law'.

'We do not need new 'hate speech' laws, if the threshold for incitement has been crossed, current laws are sufficient,' the petition stated.

'In 2021, Grace Tame was named Australian of the Year, an honour reserved for individuals who reflect the values, unity and integrity of our nation.

'That title carries moral weight. It is not just recognition for past advocacy, it represents an ongoing association with Australian ideals.'

Her appearance at an International Women's Day event in Bendigo, Victoria, also came under fire from the Australian Jewish Association.

The group had lobbied for her to be dropped from the event but organisers refused to cave-in to pressure.

Last year, global sports brand Nike officially cut ties with Tame after she shared several posts in solidarity with Palestinians during the conflict with Israel.

'Grace and Nike have mutually agreed to part ways,' a Nike spokesman said.

'We wish Grace the best as she continues her running journey.'

Tame is an ultra-marathon runner and was appointed as a brand ambassador by Nike at the start of 2025.

She shared a gushing message at the time, writing: 'I couldn't be more excited to announce that I am officially an ambassador for Nike.

'This has been a long time in the making.'

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