Academics, Diplomats, Journalists, Parliamentarians, Whistleblowers
and so on from around the world. All in support of Mary Kostakidis and the importance of open and honest reporting for a healthy democracy.
On this page: an alphabetised list of quotes for copying and pasting, further down – tiles for social media sharing
Michelle Berkon, Jews Against the Occupation
“Mary Kostakidis is a voice of integrity and authority in Australian news media. The case against her is purely ‘lawfare’ – the Zionist Federation of Australia taking advantage of a fallacious definition of antisemitism to suppress accurate commentary on Israel’s genocide in Gaza. As a Jewish Australian, I unreservedly stand with Kostakidis. Criticism of Israel in terms that do not vilify Jews is not antisemitic.”
Alison Broinowski, Australians for War Powers Reform, retired diplomat
“Courage, said WikiLeaks, is contagious. We are all inspired by Mary’s brave, resilient, and principled stand against intimidation and support her in every way.”
Richard Broinowski, former Australian ambassador to Mexico, Vietnam and South Korea
“I fully support Mary Kostakidis in her principled defence against the Australian Zionists and their attempts to condemn her in the law courts of Australia. She is a brave woman and a deeply committed professional journalist – an example for us all.”
Bob Brown, Former Tasmanian Senator.
“Mary Kostakidis did not advocate two million people being deported from their homeland to make way for a billionaires’ tourist resort. She quoted but did not assassinate Hasan Nazrallah along with hundreds of innocent others. She has not raised a trigger finger to hapless starving human beings lining up for food. What she did do is put a pen to unwarranted human suffering when the ink flow had stalled in more widely-read outlets. She has my admiration and support in opposing the legal attack now aimed at her.
Bob Carr, former Foreign Minister of Australia.
“I’m alarmed once more by the bullying of the Israel lobby. It is intent on closing down opposition to the genocide in Gaza. If they succeed in characterising Mary’s reporting as offensive, who will be next? I guess anyone who uses the G word. Or calls out apartheid laws or racist settlers.”
Coalition of Women for Justice and Peace, Jewish women’s group
“These targeted efforts against Mary Kostakidis form part of a broader campaign to suppress legitimate criticism of Zionism and its apartheid and genocidal policies.”
Peter Cronau, journalist, co-founder Declassified Australia, former ABC 4 Corners producer
“The prosecution of Mary Kostakidis sets a dangerous precedent for free speech and media freedomin Australia and around the world. Journalism is not a crime.”
Jason Gillham, Australian classical pianist
“I’m offended and insulted by the Zionist lobby’s malicious attempt to silence and defame one of Australia’s most respected journalists. Her ‘crime’? Opposing genocide. Following international law. Practicing journalism.’
#IstandwithMary ”
Jepke Goudsmit, Jews Against the Occupation ’48
“As a person of Jewish background, I regard the conflation of Zionism with Judaism and anti-Zionism with antisemitism, an abomination.They are undemocratic mechanisms to silence journalists and stifle public debate. Why are we tolerating this in our country?”
Jews Against the Occupation ’48
“Respected journalist Mary Kostakidis has fallen foul of the Zionist Federation of Australia for her factual posts and commentary on Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Kostakidis did not mention Jews, but malicious actors such as the ZFA label criticism of Israel as antisemitic. Jews Against the Occupation ’48 wholeheartedly supports Mary. You should too.”
Chris Hedges, Pulitzer-prize winning journalist
“Mary Kostakidis is being lynched by the Zionist Federation of Australia for apartheid Israel. Speak out on Palestinians’ behalf, denounce the genocide, call for a ceasefire & arms embargo on Israel, demand a Palestinian state and you’re branded an antisemite. Antisemitism’s weaponization is meant to justify genocide & silence dissent. Those who play this mendacious game will regret it. It paves the road for far-right extremists & proto-fascists extinguishing what’s left of our open societies.”
Tony Kevin, former Australian ambassador to Poland and Cambodia
“Mary Kostakidis is a courageous and articulate defender of freedoms in Australia that we used to take for granted but which in recent years have come under attack from supporters of an aggressive foreign state that is cruelly violating both international law and morality. Mary’s brave stand deserves the support of all Australians who care about the future of our country as a democratic sovereign state.”
John Kiriakou, CIA torture whistleblower
“Mary Kostakidis is a role model for those who otherwise might lament the absence of human rights for Palestinians, shake their heads, and then move on. She lives her principles, knowing that it may come with a significant personal cost. Others may ask years from now, “What did I do to help?” Mary need not ask herself that question. She stood up against fascism. She stood up for human rights and for the downtrodden. And we should #StandWithMary.”
Joe Lauria, editor-in-chief, Consortium News
“We can’t let a government committing genocide — or its proxies — also kill free speech. All journalists must stand with Mary Kostakidis.”
Antony Loewenstein, Independent journalist, author, film-maker and co-founder of Declassified Australia.
“In a truly democratic society, citizens must speak critically of all sacred cows including Israel, Gaza and the Jewish state’s genocide against the Palestinain people. I’ve spent decades fighting the pro-Israel lobby’s attempts to silence anyone who dares speak out against Israel. I stand with Mary in her legitimate defence of free speech in a time of war.”
Scott Ludlam, Former Senator for Western Australia
“Nobody should find themselves in court for criticising the genocidal actions of a foreign state – thank you Mary for standing up to the bullies on behalf of all of us.”
Jake Lynch, Associate Professor at University of Sydney, former BBC World newsreader
“The Australian community can only get the truth it deserves if reporters are free to report withoutfear or favour.”
Sawsan Madina, former head of SBS TV, Australia
“How will we explain to our grandchildren that we remained silent during a genocide and that those who spoke up were targeted and smeared as antisemites?”
Craig Murray, Journalist, former British Ambassador to Usbekistan.
“Mary Kostakidis has long been a model of informed, perceptive and empathetic journalism. Toattempt to silence her voice is to promote ignorance, intolerance and hatred.”
Ilan Pappé, Israeli historian and political scientist
“Mary Kostakidis, a famous Australian journalist and former prime-time weeknight SBS World News Australia presenter, has been taken to the federal court over her—one should say quite tame— reporting on the situation in the Gaza Strip. The very fact that the court has not dismissed this allegation upon its arrival shows you how deeply rooted moral panic is in the Global North.”
PEN International
“The legal action against journalist Mary Kostakidis poses a deeply concerning threat to freedom of expression in Australia. Despite Mary’s full engagement with the AHRC conciliation process, theongoing pursuit of legal action against her under Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 risks establishing a disturbing precedent that will have a widespread chilling effect on online expression concerning matters of public interest and concern.”
PEN Perth
“Mary is right: Criticism of Zionist ideology, the Israeli government and the brutality of the IDF is neither antisemitic nor racist.”
PEN Sydney
“Mary is fighting for the rights of all Australian journalists to tell the full story.”
Dr Stuart Rees, Professor Emeritus, University of Sydney
“Courage to oppose genocide, to reveal violations of international humanitarian law should be praised. It should never result in persecution, let alone prosecution. In defence of a people’s human rights and of a common humanity, the world needs far more courage.”
Henry Reynolds, Historian, FAAH & FSSA
“Mary Kostakidis is to be applauded. Here in Australia she has, with both courage and conviction, given voice to the conscience of the world.”
Margaret Reynolds, former Labor Senator and Hawke Govt. Minister
“I stand with Mary because she is a fearless advocate for human rights and justice. Mary Kostakidis is a national treasure because Australians recognise her integrity and strength of commitment to balanced reporting and analysis.”
The Hon John Ruddick, Libertarian Party, Member Legislative Council, Parliament of NSW
“What the world most lacks today is courage. It is appalling to conflate criticisms of Israel’s military actions against Palestinians with antisemitism. It is an attempt to shut down criticism and for most it works … but not Mary Kostakidis.
Mary could so easily have avoided the stress of this legal action and remained quiet but she has demonstrated inspiring courage by taking a stand … and so I stand with her.
18C of the Racial-Discrimination Act must be repealed. It is being weaponised to stifle and even prevent important public debate.”
Dr Peter Slezak, Honorary Associate Professor in Philosophy
“The attempt to silence critical voices and independent journalism is a totalitarian response by those who seek to hide the truth about crimes for which they bear responsibility.”
Richard Tanter, Professor of Social & Political Studies
“Mary – the best and most courageous of Australian journalists, standing for humanity in the face of genocidal horror, resisting a contemptible attempt at repression of freedom of speech.”
Yanis Varoufakis, Secretary-General DIEM 2025, former Greek Finance Minister
“In the 1930s, one duty stood above the rest: to defend Jews from the oncoming Holocaust. Today, once more, one duty stands above the rest: to end the Palestinian genocide. Mary is vilified for having done her duty. It is now ours to #StandWithMary.”
Cathy Vogan, journalist and executive producer, Consortium News
“It seems odd to have to call for the right of a journalist to communicate perspectives from both sides of a conflict. It’s what we’re expected to do.”
Elizabeth Vos, journalist & co-host CNLIVE! At Consortium News
“Criticising the worst human rights abuses of our generation is not hateful speech, it is a responsibility we all share. Mary Kostakidis should not be punished for speaking out – especially as a journalist – against genocide.”
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, Australian Greens.
“Mary Kostakidis was one of the few journalists who consistently raised the dangers to press freedoms in the imprisonment of Australian journalist Julian Assange. I’m confident she will again be vindicated in calling out – without fear or favour – horrific war crimes and the ongoing genocide in Palestine.
Michelle Berkon, Jews Against the Occupation.
“Mary Kostakidis is a voice of integrity and authority in Australian news media. The case against her is purely “”lawfare”” – the Zionist Federation of Australia taking advantage of a fallacious definition of antisemitism to suppress accurate commentary on Israel’s genocide in Gaza. As a Jewish Australian, I unreservedly stand with Kostakidis. Criticism of Israel in terms that do not vilify Jews is not antisemitic.”
Alison Broinowski, retired diplomat, Australians for War Powers Reform
“Courage, said WikiLeaks, is contagious. We are all inspired by Mary’s brave, resilient, and principled stand against intimidation and support her in every way.”
Dr Richard Broinowski AO, former Australian ambassador to Mexico, Vietnam and South Korea
“I fully support Mary Kostakidis in her principled defence against the Australian Zionists and their attempts to condemn her in the law courts of Australia. She is a brave woman and a deeply committed professional journalist – an example for us all.”
Bob Brown. Former Senator for Tasmania.
“Mary Kostakidis did not advocate two million people being deported from their homeland to make way for a billionaires’ tourist resort. She quoted but did not assassinate Hasan Nazrallah along with hundreds of innocent others. She has not raised a trigger finger to hapless starving human beings lining up for food. What she did do is put a pen to unwarranted human suffering when the ink flow had stalled in more widely-read outlets. She has my admiration and support in opposing the legal attack now aimed at her.”
Bob Carr, former Foreign Minister of Australia
“I’m alarmed once more by the bullying of the Israel lobby. It is intent on closing down opposition to the genocide in Gaza. If they succeed in characterising Mary’s reporting as offensive, who will be next? I guess anyone who uses the G word. Or calls out apartheid laws or racist settlers.
Coalition of Women for Justice and Peace, Jewish women’s group
“These targeted efforts against Mary Kostakidis form part of a broader campaign to suppresslegitimate criticism of Zionism and its apartheid and genocidal policies.”
Peter Cronau, journalist, co-founder Declassified Australia, former ABC 4 Corners producer
“The prosecution of Mary Kostakidis sets a dangerous precedent for free speech and media freedomin Australia and around the world. Journalism is not a crime.”
Jason Gillham, Australian classical pianist
“I’m offended and insulted by the Zionist lobby’s malicious attempt to silence and defame one of Australia’s most respected journalists. Her ‘crime’? Opposing genocide. Following international law. Practicing journalism.’
#IstandwithMary”
Jepke Goudsmit, Jews Against the Occupation ’48
“As a person of Jewish background, I regard the conflation of Zionism with Judaism and anti-Zionism with antisemitism, an abomination.They are undemocratic mechanisms to silence journalists and stifle public debate. Why are we tolerating this in our country?”
Jews Against the Occupation ’48
“Respected journalist Mary Kostakidis has fallen foul of the Zionist Federation of Australia for her factual posts and commentary on Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Kostakidis did not mention Jews, but malicious actors such as the ZFA label criticism of Israel as antisemitic. Jews Against the Occupation ’48 wholeheartedly supports Mary. You should too.”
Chris Hedges, Pulitzer-prize winning journalist
“Mary Kostakidis is being lynched by the Zionist Federation of Australia for apartheid Israel. Speak out on Palestinians’ behalf, denounce the genocide, call for a ceasefire & arms embargo on Israel, demand a Palestinian state and you’re branded an antisemite. Antisemitism’s weaponization is meant to justify genocide & silence dissent. Those who play this mendacious game will regret it. It paves the road for far-right extremists & proto-fascists extinguishing what’s left of our open societies.”
Tony Kevin, former Australian Ambassador to Poland and Cambodia
“Mary Kostakidis is a courageous and articulate defender of freedoms in Australia that we used to take for granted but which in recent years have come under attack from supporters of an aggressive foreign state that is cruelly violating both international law and morality. Mary’s brave stand deserves the support of all Australians who care about the future of our country as a democratic sovereign state.”
John Kiriakou, CIA torture whistleblower
“Mary Kostakidis is a role model for those who otherwise might lament the absence of human rights for Palestinians, shake their heads, and then move on. She lives her principles, knowing that it may come with a significant personal cost. Others may ask years from now, “What did I do to help?” Mary need not ask herself that question. She stood up against fascism. She stood up for human rights and for the downtrodden. And we should #StandWithMary.”
Joe Lauria, editor-in-chief, Consortium News
“We can’t let a government committing genocide — or its proxies — also kill free speech. All journalists must stand with Mary Kostakidis.”
Antony Loewenstein, Independent journalist, author, film-maker and co-founder of Declassified Australia.
“In a truly democratic society, citizens must speak critically of all sacred cows including Israel, Gaza and the Jewish state’s genocide against the Palestinain people. I’ve spent decades fighting the pro-Israel lobby’s attempts to silence anyone who dares speak out against Israel. I stand with Mary in her legitimate defence of free speech in a time of war.”
Scott Ludlam, Former Senator for Western Australia
“Nobody should find themselves in court for criticising the genocidal actions of a foreign state – thank you Mary for standing up to the bullies on behalf of all of us.”
Jake Lynch, Associate Professor at University of Sydney, former BBC World newsreader
“The Australian community can only get the truth it deserves if reporters are free to report without fear or favour.”
Sawsan Madina, former head of SBS TV, Australia
“How will we explain to our grandchildren that we remained silent during a genocide and that those who spoke up were targeted and smeared as antisemites?”
Craig Murray, Journalist, former British Ambassador to Usbekistan.
“Mary Kostakidis has long been a model of informed, perceptive and empathetic journalism. To attempt to silence her voice is to promote ignorance, intolerance and hatred.”
Ilan Pappe, Israeli Historian and Political Scientist.
“Mary Kostakidis, a famous Australian journalist and former prime-time weeknight SBS World News Australia presenter, has been taken to the federal court over her—one should say quite tame—reporting on the situation in the Gaza Strip. The very fact that the court has not dismissed this allegation upon its arrival shows you how deeply rooted moral panic is in the Global North.”
PEN International
“The legal action against journalist Mary Kostakidis poses a deeply concerning threat to freedom of expression in Australia. Despite Mary’s full engagement with the AHRC conciliation process, the ongoing pursuit of legal action against her under Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 risks establishing a disturbing precedent that will have a widespread chilling effect on online expression concerning matters of public interest and concern.”
PEN Perth
“Mary is right: Criticism of Zionist ideology, the Israeli government and the brutality of the IDF is neither antisemitic nor racist”.
PEN Sydney
“Mary is fighting for the rights of all Australian journalists to tell the full story.”
Dr Stuart Rees, Professor Emeritus, University of Sydney
“Courage to oppose genocide, to reveal violations of international humanitarian law should be praised. It should never result in persecution, let alone prosecution. In defence of a people’s human rights and of a common humanity, the world needs far more courage.”
Professor Henry Reynolds, Historian, FAAH & FSSA
“Mary Kostakidis is to be applauded. Here in Australia she has, with both courage and conviction, given voice to the conscience of the world.”
Margaret Reynolds, former Labor Senator and Hawke Govt. Minister
“I stand with Mary because she is a fearless advocate for human rights and justice. Mary Kostakidis is a national treasure because Australians recognise her integrity and strength of commitment to balanced reporting and analysis.”
The Hon John Ruddick, Libertarian Party, Member Legislative Council, Parliament of NSW
“What the world most lacks today is courage. It is appalling to conflate criticisms of Israel’s military actions against Palestinians with antisemitism. It is an attempt to shut down criticism and for most it works … but not Mary Kostakidis.
Mary could so easily have avoided the stress of this legal action and remained quiet but she has demonstrated inspiring courage by taking a stand … and so I stand with her.
18C of the Racial-Discrimination Act must be repealed. It is being weaponised to stifle and even prevent important public debate.”
Dr Peter Slezak, Honorary Associate Professor in Philosophy
“The attempt to silence critical voices and independent journalism is a totalitarian response by those who seek to hide the truth about crimes for which they bear responsibility.”
Richard Tanter, Professor of Social & Political Studies
“Mary – the best and most courageous of Australian journalists, standing for humanity in the face of genocidal horror, resisting a contemptible attempt at repression of freedom of speech.”
Yanis Varoufakis, Secretary-General DIEM 2025, former Greek Finance Minister
“In the 1930s, one duty stood above the rest: to defend Jews from the oncoming Holocaust. Today, once more, one duty stands above the rest: to end the Palestinian genocide. Mary is vilified for having done her duty. It is now ours to #StandWithMary.”
Cathy Vogan, journalist and executive producer, Consortium News
“It seems odd to have to call for the right of a journalist to communicate perspectives from both sides of a conflict. It’s what we’re expected to do.”
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, Australian Greens
“Mary Kostakidis was one of the few journalists who consistently raised the dangers to press freedoms in the imprisonment of Australian journalist Julian Assange. I’m confident she will again be vindicated in calling out – without fear or favour – horrific war crimes and the ongoing genocide in Palestine.”
Via XD LAW @XDLawyers:
The Zionist Federation’s attempt to silence Mary Kostakidis rolls into the Federal Court in the coming months.
Thanks to donations through chuffed.org [link] we have been able to build a defence team around her.
She is no longer alone. Senior Counsel Stephen Keim SC and Greg Barnes SC have accepted the brief together with Junior barristers Felicity Nagorcka and Kate Slack and the team at XD.
To the donors, thank you for getting Mary’s defence off the ground.
Please stick with us, it will be a long and tumultuous flight.
