The State of Israel needs our help
I see Israel as a nation creating “great music” that is, unfortunately, being broadcast through an “inadequate sound system”.
Three key points struck me during my recent time in Israel. First, there is currently no viable peace process between Israelis and Palestinians. Second, Hamas has transformed Gaza into a highly fortified stronghold. Finally, the morale and resilience of the IDF and the Israeli population are inspiring, especially as they face existential military threats from Iran and disinformation campaigns from biased media and antisemites.
I see Israel as a nation creating “great music” that is, unfortunately, being broadcast through an “inadequate sound system”. In my judgment, at this challenging time, while Israel requires the support of the world, it is the world that perhaps needs Israel even more. The terror and ideology that Israel is fighting threaten us all, making Israel’s battle one of global significance.
The failed peace process and the Abraham Accords
In a post on September 8, Dr Einat Wilf, a prominent Israeli intellectual and former politician, quoted an unnamed US negotiator who said, “After 30 years, there was never a negotiation.” According to him, Israel made offers, but Arafat and later Abbas repeatedly said no.
The two-state solution now feels unsafe to many who once supported it. After spending an evening with Itamar Marcus, director of Palestinian Media Watch, it became clear why. Marcus explained that antisemitism is ingrained in Palestinian national identity, and the official policy remains the destruction of Israel. This reality is inconvenient for those pushing for Palestinian recognition without mutual obligation.
It is alarming that Western media often ignore Palestinian Authority policies like payments to the families of terrorists. Additionally, Mahmoud Abbas has not condemned the October 7 massacre, instead blaming Israel.
The Abraham Accords facilitated historic normalisation agreements between Israel and several Arab states. There is a level of confidence within Israel that countries including Saudi Arabia and Indonesia are close to normalising relations.
The Obama administration initially believed that peace between Israel and the Palestinians should come before normalisation with the broader Arab world. This position was based on the belief that resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was central to regional peace.
Obama’s earlier emphasis on a Palestinian-Israeli settlement as a prerequisite for wider Arab-Israeli peace was overtaken by changing dynamics, including shared concerns between Israel and Gulf states over Iran’s regional activities and economic cooperation potential.
These countries view Iran as a destabilising force, and cooperation between Riyadh and Jerusalem could bolster their collective security efforts. Economically, normalisation with Israel offers Saudi Arabia access to Israeli technology, particularly in sectors like defence, cyber-
security, agriculture and renewable energy. Additionally, formal ties could open avenues for US support and investment. However, the kingdom remains cautious, balancing its regional leadership role and domestic considerations, particularly its longstanding support for the Palestinian cause. Despite these complexities, the geopolitical advantages make Saudi participation in the Accords a real possibility as regional dynamics evolve.
Hamas’s transformation of Gaza
The IDF fully withdrew from Gaza in 2005. Hamas took control in 2007 after a brief power-sharing government with Fatah, and since then has fortified Gaza extensively. Over 480 kilometres of Hamas tunnels have been discovered, and the battlefield in Gaza is one of the most complex in modern warfare.
Many tunnels, designed for evasion rather than combat, feature infrastructure like kitchens and even cages for hostages. Hamas has clustered its military assets in civilian areas, including mosques, hospitals and schools, forcing the IDF to take extraordinary measures to avoid civilian casualties.
The behaviour, restraint and ethics of IDF soldiers are unparalleled in the history of warfare. Several IDF soldiers shared that they fight not with hatred, but with love in their hearts – love for their country, Israel, and for their fellow Israelis. This ethos is not confined to Jewish Israelis; some of the finest, fiercest and bravest IDF soldiers come from the Druze community. In my 30 years in the profession of arms, I have infrequently encountered soldiers of this calibre.
The resilience of Israel
As a gentile, I was unaccustomed to Jewish holidays, but I smiled when friends explained that many holidays commemorate survival: “They tried to kill us. We survived. Let’s eat!” This resilience was clear again following the horrors of October 7.
Now is not the time for division within Israel; unity is critical in the face of such profound challenges.
In Israel, I witnessed resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges. I encourage all those who support Israel to visit (DFAT travel advice permitting), to educate and to advocate. Israel has a remarkable story to tell, and it is our duty to ensure that story is heard. Am Yisrael chai.
Michael Scott is CEO and founder of a harm minimisation charity combating antisemitism. He earlier rose to the rank of colonel in the Australian Army. This article was written in Jerusalem after visiting Israel with the Military Expert Panel, European Leadership Network (ELNET).
The opinions and perspectives expressed are the author’s alone and do not represent the official positions of the Australian Government or the Australian Defence Force.
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