I have watched the commentary around Grace Tame spiral into familiar territory. Some defend her. Some attack her. Some wait for any misstep. The arguments become about slogans, tone, delivery.
Meanwhile, the original political decision sits largely untouched.
Reading through the comments on a right-leaning news site, I came across a thoughtful defence of her right to speak. It reminded me that human rights advocacy does not vanish because someone disagrees with the politics of the moment. Courage is not conditional.
I would have preferred that a particular slogan not be used. It distracted from the substance. Yet focusing only on the slogan misses the larger question.
What was the judgement behind inviting the Israeli president at this time?
Leadership is not only about protocol. It is about reading the room. It is about understanding how divided the public mood already is. It is about recognising when symbolism inflames rather than steadies.
We can debate Grace Tame’s language for days. That is easy. The harder and more necessary question concerns political judgement at the top.
If we are serious about social cohesion, that is where attention belongs.
