A pro-Israel WhatsApp group, Pen Power Australia, has stated it contributed to a public campaign that has resulted in Grace Tame, former Australian of the Year, losing speaking engagements. Messages reviewed by Deepcut indicated that a "news update" within the group claimed Tame had her 2026 speaking engagements cancelled, with the group asserting their contribution to this outcome.
Background on Grace Tame
Grace Tame has faced scrutiny from right-wing politicians and media since a February speech in Sydney where she protested against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Her remark, "globalise the intifada," drew criticism, with former Prime Minister Tony Abbott calling her an "unworthy recipient" of the Australian of the Year honor.
In a recent article for Crikey, Tame described herself as being targeted by a "well-oiled, well-funded political propaganda machine."
Grace Tame stated that her "livelihood has been completely destroyed" in the month following the protest due to a "concerted smear campaign."
Coordinated Campaign Details
WhatsApp messages confirm the coordinated nature of the pro-Israel campaign targeting Tame. Three specific email campaigns focused on her scheduled appearances at International Women’s Day events in Sydney and Bendigo, and the No to Violence conference in Hobart. Tame spoke at all three events, but informed the No to Violence conference that she had no further speaking engagements for the year, despite it being March.
Other Campaign Targets
The Pen Power Australia WhatsApp group also highlighted successful campaigns against:
- UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese’s video appearance at Adelaide University.
- Shia Muslim mosques mourning the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- Palestinian DJ Sama’ Abdulhadi’s performance at the WOMADelaide festival.
In these instances, Adelaide University cancelled the event with Albanese, a $670,000 grant for a Shia Islamic community center was cancelled, and Abdulhadi’s visa was denied. Deepcut previously reported on Pen Power Australia's efforts to have Abdulhadi's visa denied.
About Pen Power Australia
Pen Power Australia is described by its co-ordinator, John Grimwade, as a "co-ordinated letter-writing movement" formed in May of the previous year. The group aims to "mobilise supporters to challenge anti-Israel narratives and demand accountability."
Grimwade stated that Pen Power Australia writes to government departments at all levels, mainstream media, non-government organizations, publishers, entertainment venues, music promoters, professional bodies, and companies. The group reported sending over 26,800 letters targeting critics of Israel, including 5,642 letters in February alone. One campaign involved nearly 3,000 letters calling for a Royal Commission into the Bondi terror attacks, with support from groups in the UK and US.
Questions of Influence
The effectiveness of Pen Power Australia’s activities raises questions regarding the influence of pro-Israel campaigning on governments and institutions.
Grace Tame, in her Crikey article, accused the prime minister and his government of being "corrupted by lobbyists and [willing to] do anything to protect them."