Of all the Tyrannies
The October 7th atrocities perpetrated by Hamas revealed the brutal reality of Israel’s security challenges.
The modern world is witnessing a dangerous conflation of moral absolutism and authoritarianism, a trend disturbingly evident in the Middle East War and the responses it has provoked globally. For those of us who are steadfastly pro-Israel, the stakes are existential, as we grapple with a battle not only for survival but for truth itself. As C.S. Lewis aptly observed in God in the Dock: “Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.” This timeless warning resonates today as we confront the insidious rise of social Marxism, the decay of media integrity, and the pervasive threats to individual freedoms.
Lewis’s observation cuts to the core of the current predicament. Unlike other forms of tyranny—those driven by greed, power, or corruption—a tyranny imposed under the guise of moral righteousness is relentless. The robber baron may eventually tire or grow sated, but the moral busybody, convinced of their virtue, will persist indefinitely, tormenting with the full weight of their self-assured conscience. This form of tyranny has found fertile ground in the West, where the lunacy of movements like “Queers for Palestine” defies logic, as it champions those who would deny the very freedoms they claim to uphold. Similar contradictions abound, revealing the intellectual bankruptcy of ideologies that prioritise virtue signalling over reason.
The Middle East War: A Battlefield of Morality and Misinformation
The October 7th atrocities perpetrated by Hamas revealed the brutal reality of Israel’s security challenges. 1,200 persons slaughtered in a single day—a deliberate, calculated assault on humanity. Yet, astonishingly, much of the global media equivocated, framing Israel’s defensive actions as morally equivalent to the terror it endured. This false equivalence—a hallmark of failed journalism—erodes the moral clarity essential to confronting evil.
As the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once remarked, “Watch your thoughts, for they will shape your actions; watch your actions, for they will shape your character.” The distorted narratives perpetuated by elements of the media and academia have created fertile ground for antisemitism to thrive under the guise of social justice. Calls for “ceasefires” or “proportionality” often mask a deeper bias, one that refuses to recognise the moral chasm between a liberal democracy defending its citizens and a terrorist organisation committed to genocide.
The Social Marxist Agenda: An Assault on Freedom
Social Marxism refers to the application of Marxist principles beyond economics, extending into cultural and social spheres. Rooted in the ideas of thinkers like Antonio Gramsci and the Frankfurt School, it critiques and seeks to dismantle traditional structures of power, often framing them as systems of oppression. This ideology prioritises identity politics, equity over meritocracy, and the redistribution of cultural and social power to achieve what its proponents see as a more equitable society.
In practice, social Marxism often subordinates individual freedoms and universal principles, such as free speech and due process, to its perceived moral imperative of addressing systemic injustice. Critics argue that it undermines personal responsibility, fosters division, and erodes foundational values of Western civilisation.
These cultural gatekeepers frequently frame Israel as an imperialist oppressor, ignoring its historical, legal, and moral right to exist. As Thomas Sowell cautioned, “The most basic question is not what is best, but who shall decide what is best.” By recasting victimhood as virtue and eroding the principle of universal human rights, social Marxism undermines not just Israel but the very foundations of freedom itself.
Combatting Antisemitism: Lessons from History
The resurgence of antisemitism in the 21st century, particularly in progressive circles, is one of the great paradoxes of our time. While cloaked in the language of human rights, much of this rhetoric is indistinguishable from the old tropes that fuelled centuries of Jewish persecution. As historian Niall Ferguson observed, “History never repeats itself, but it does often rhyme.”
Consider the “anti-Zionist” boycotts, which echo the economic ostracism of Jews in pre-Holocaust Europe. Or the demonisation of Israeli self-defence, reminiscent of medieval blood libels. These modern manifestations of antisemitism are often amplified by social media echo chambers, where outrage is monetised, and nuance is sacrificed. The solution lies not only in countering lies with truth but in fostering genuine dialogue and coexistence.
Fostering Peaceful Coexistence: A Path Forward
Peaceful coexistence is not a utopian dream but a pragmatic necessity. Israel’s story—its achievements in technology, medicine, and agriculture—offers a blueprint for how diverse communities can thrive together. Yet coexistence requires reciprocity, a willingness from all parties to reject hatred and embrace shared humanity.
As the economist and statesman Milton Friedman once noted, “A society that puts equality before freedom will get neither. A society that puts freedom before equality will get a high degree of both.” The West’s appeasement of radical ideologies, whether in the form of Islamist extremism or its intellectual enablers, only emboldens those who seek to destroy the principles of liberty and coexistence. True peace will emerge not from appeasement but from a firm commitment to justice and truth.
Failed Media: The Battle for Truth
The role of the media in shaping public opinion cannot be overstated. Unfortunately, much of today’s media has abandoned its duty to inform, opting instead for sensationalism and ideological conformity. This failure has dire consequences, particularly in conflicts like the Middle East War, where misinformation can fan the flames of hatred.
Ben Shapiro, a leading conservative thinker, once noted, “Facts don’t care about your feelings.” Yet the media’s obsession with narratives over facts has created a post-truth environment where emotions often trump evidence. The solution lies in rebuilding trust through rigorous journalism, intellectual honesty, and an unwavering commitment to the truth.
A Call to Action
The challenges we face are immense, but so too is our capacity to overcome them. Combating antisemitism, defending Israel, and fostering peaceful coexistence are not separate battles; they are interconnected fronts in the same war for civilisation. As Theodore Roosevelt once said, “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.”
The Jewish Australian community has a unique and pivotal role to play in this struggle. More so than any other part of Australian society, they have witnessed and experienced the malice of social Marxism firsthand. This lived experience gives Jewish Australians a profound understanding of the stakes and the urgency of action. We have agency—the ability to influence, to educate, and to lead. Together, we can author a better tomorrow, not only for Australia but for the decaying West more broadly.
The time for action is now. We must stand firm against the tyranny of moral busybodies, the deceit of failed media, and the divisive agenda of social Marxism. By upholding truth, freedom, and justice, we honour the legacy of those who came before us and secure a brighter future for generations to come.
Michael Scott CSC is the CEO and Founder of the 2023 Foundation, a charity focused on combating antisemitism and fostering peaceful coexistence.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the positions of the Australian Defence Force or the Commonwealth Government of Australia.
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