"Globalise the Intifada" Controversy Sparks Event Cancellation, Political Uproar

Summary

A phrase used at pro-Palestine protests in Sydney, "globalise the intifada," has become a topic of public debate, leading to the cancellation of a related event by the Sydney Lord Mayor and drawing commentary from political leaders and community groups. The controversy coincides with reports of sexual violence during the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, which were also addressed by former Australian of the Year Grace Tame in a separate interview.

Event Cancellation and Government Responses

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore ordered the cancellation of an event titled "Why is it right to say Globalise the Intifada" scheduled for May 5 at the East Sydney Community and Arts Centre, a council-owned venue. The event was organized by the Stop The War On Palestine group.

Mayor Moore stated on social media that she asked the city's CEO to withdraw the booking because the event title suggested it would "contribute to hostility and fear" at a fragile moment in Sydney.

She cited the timing of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and a "persistent media campaign" she said was driving division. Moore stated she supports peaceful assembly and free speech but said these rights must be balanced with public safety and respect for the community. She noted she had previously participated in a pro-Palestine march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

NSW Premier Chris Minns stated he would not ask Lord Mayor Moore to cancel the event, asserting such a request would be ineffective. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not directly address federal government intervention, instead referencing the passage of hate crime laws.

The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies expressed relief at the cancellation, stating the phrase "Globalise the Intifada" is a call to violence against Jewish Australians, as recognized by a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry. They said they had engaged with the council to explain why the event would endanger public safety and undermine social cohesion.

Grace Tame's Comments on the Phrase and Sexual Violence Reports

Former Australian of the Year Grace Tame participated in an ABC Radio Sydney interview on Monday to discuss her interpretation of the phrase "globalise the intifada," following criticism over leading a chant using the phrase at a rally during Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia.

Ms. Tame stated her understanding of the phrase as "a call for widespread resistance" against Israel's actions.

The term "intifada," meaning "shaking off" in Arabic, refers to two periods of violent Palestinian protests against Israel. Members of the Jewish community have characterized it as a call for violence.

Ms. Tame also addressed accusations regarding her response to reports of sexual violence during the October 7, 2023 attacks. She stated she would not "entertaining any kind of propaganda" and claimed "those things have been debunked," adding "awful things are being perpetrated by both sides." United Nations officials in 2024 reported reasonable grounds to believe conflict-related sexual violence, including rape and gang-rape, occurred at several locations during Hamas's October 7 attacks on Israel.

The Israeli Embassy in Australia issued a statement on social media platform X, accusing Ms. Tame of losing her "moral compass" by "denying documented sexual violence, turning victims into perpetrators, and drawing false moral equivalences." Ms. Tame declined to comment when contacted by ABC News. Lynda Ben-Menashe of the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia described Ms. Tame's comments as "deeply upsetting" and offered to meet for conversation.

Ms. Tame reiterated her role as a human rights activist who advocates for the safety of all human beings, citing her personal experiences with sexual assault.

Political Reactions to the Protest Chant

Earlier, Ms. Tame faced criticism from federal MPs and the NSW Premier after leading chants of "globalise the intifada" at a rally protesting the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Ms. Tame described the Israeli leader as engaging in "incitement to genocide." President Herzog has previously denied such allegations.

Premier Minns described Ms. Tame's comments as "terrible" and stated the phrase suggested a "violent uprising in Sydney's streets." Former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce suggested Ms. Tame should be stripped of her Australian of the Year honour.

Gamel Kheir from the Lebanese Muslim Association stated the focus should be on police actions at the protest, suggesting police involvement in a peaceful protest should cause greater alarm than the words themselves.

During Question Time, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accused the Opposition of seeking political opportunities and urged for a reduction in political tension. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek described the phrase as "damaging," stating it implies a single state, which Labor does not support, advocating instead for a two-state solution.