The Baying Mob – When and How Does This End?
If this baying mob is allowed to persist unchecked, it is only a matter of time before we face a tragedy.
On the evening of 4 December 2024, I joined a distinguished group of Jewish and non-Jewish philanthropists at The Great Synagogue in Sydney’s Central Business District to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.
The event was a testament to the boundless potential of human ingenuity and cooperation. It began with a powerful Welcome to Country by Nova Peris, followed by the singing of the Australian National Anthem.
Esteemed presenters, including visiting professors and alumni, showcased groundbreaking work in medical research and other disciplines—innovations poised to benefit people of all backgrounds, irrespective of race, religion, or political affiliation. It was a living embodiment of Tikkun Olam, a Hebrew term meaning “repairing the world.”
Inside the synagogue, there was a palpable sense of peace, tolerance, and a celebration of life (chai). Yet, outside its walls, the atmosphere was one of hostility and hatred. A baying mob gathered, their chants and placards reflecting visceral anger devoid of reason or humanity. From a distance, they appeared to be a mix of Anglo zealots and misguided activists. Their presence demonstrated that one can pass through the finest schools and universities yet remain bereft of any meaningful education about history, empathy, or decency.
Sitting within the synagogue, I couldn’t shake a profound unease—a gnawing sense that history was echoing in the present. It was not lost on me that Jewish communities have faced similar threats throughout history.
In centuries past, synagogues besieged by mobs were set ablaze, trapping those inside to die by fire or suffocation. These horrors are not confined to the distant past; they are etched into the collective memory of Jewish communities across the world.
Is this how it ends?
Will it take a tragedy akin to the murder of British soldier Lee Rigby, butchered on the streets of London in 2013, for Australia’s elected officials to comprehend the gravity of the times in which we live? The mob outside The Great Synagogue that night bore no weapons, but their actions and rhetoric were steeped in the kind of hatred that historically precedes unspeakable violence.
I consider myself well-read, and through my years of study, I have come to appreciate the predictive power of history. As Mark Twain is often credited with observing, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.”
Nowhere in recorded history can I find an example of antisemitism, such as that seen in 1930s Europe or today’s manifestations, resolving itself through inaction. On the contrary, history shows that these movements escalate until confronted by collective moral courage. To borrow Edmund Burke’s timeless wisdom: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
The question, then, is this: when will enough good men and women stand up and say, “Stop!”?
This is not a call for vigilante justice but a plea for our elected officials—state and federal—to rise to the occasion and enact meaningful measures to ensure the safety and dignity of all citizens. While I have great respect for Australia’s law enforcement agencies, I recognise that in our democracy, the ultimate responsibility rests with those we elect to lead us.
The time for rhetoric has long passed. Action is needed. Facta non verba—deeds, not words. If this baying mob is allowed to persist unchecked, it is only a matter of time before we face a tragedy. Whether it be an individual decapitated in an Australian suburb or citizens burned alive in places of worship, history has shown us the consequences of ignoring the warning signs.
As a 30-year veteran of the Australian Army with combat experience, I do not raise these concerns lightly. Writing this piece is not an act of alarmism but of deep concern, borne from a lifetime of service to this nation and its ideals. That such a piece feels necessary should signal to all that we are failing at a fundamental level—and that failure must be addressed with urgency and resolve.
Enough is enough.
Let us learn from history, not repeat its darkest chapters. Let us repair our nation’s moral compass and act decisively to ensure that tolerance, dignity, and peace prevail. Let us ensure that the future we build is one we can all be proud of.
About the Author
Colonel Michael Scott CSC has served for thirty years as a professional soldier with the Australian Defence Force. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the 2023 Foundation, a nascent global charity dedicated to harm minimisation, combatting antisemitism, and fostering peaceful coexistence. Following the November 2024 Amsterdam pogrom—an event that underscored the global nature of antisemitic violence beyond the Middle East—he has taken a more active role in the information war over narratives shaping public perception.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and are not associated with the Australian Defence Force or the Commonwealth government of Australia.
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