United in Resilience: Reflecting on the One-Year Anniversary of October 7, 2023 – Colonel Michael Scott’s Speech
On October 7, 2024, the NSW Jewish community came together to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the tragic events of October 7, 2023. Organised by the Zionist Council of NSW and the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, this event was a time to mourn, honour the resilience of Israel, and reflect on the strength of unity within the Jewish community. Below, you will find the video and transcript of Colonel Michael Scott’s impactful speech, sharing his personal experiences and reflections from the past year.
Esteemed members of the Sydney Jewish community, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, my name is Colonel Michael Scott. I’m a 30-year veteran of the Australian Army and have served in East Timor, Bougainville, Iraq, and two tours in Afghanistan. From 2019 to 2021, I served as a military peacekeeper across Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt.
My wife Dracena and I lived in Jerusalem. Though we are not Jewish, we feel a deep connection to the Jewish people. It is an honour to be here tonight as we commemorate this challenging anniversary. My message tonight is one of recognition, solidarity, strength, and hope for better days ahead.
First, we honour Israel’s fallen and remain determined to bring the 101 hostages home. We recognise the immense personal toll paid to defend our values and our way of life. Second, while it may not feel like it, you are not alone. There are critics, from the sinister to the silly, as Douglas Murray puts it. But many across Australia and around the world stand with Israel.
Simchat Torah 5784 was made unnecessarily more painful. On the steps of the Opera House, on college campuses, and in the media, we must stand in solidarity.
Third, though it may not feel like it yet, Israel is winning. I’ve seen strength in the eyes of many here tonight that you may not yet recognise in yourselves. Be strong. Keep being you. For my friends in the Jewish community, this has been a horrible year. Anti-Semitism is a scourge we must unite against. I, for one, will not be a bystander.
Last month, I had the chance to return to Israel, a land I love from my time as a resident in Jerusalem. I reunited with many Israeli friends who are as close to me as family. I was in Gaza with the IDF and witnessed them defending their home and our way of life. I saw Israeli volunteers in uniform, young and old, with love in their hearts, not hate.
I saw the Israeli Defense Force for what it truly is: the most highly educated, lawful, ethical, and moral military fighting force that world history has ever known, operating in a diabolical environment. As a soldier, I can empathize with their efforts to safely return hostages and dismantle a vicious terrorist organisation.
I wish to leave you with the inspirational words of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks: “From the day the State of Israel was proclaimed, it faced the hostility of neighbours committed to its destruction. Yet it did not lose faith. It did not despair of peace. It pursued that hope even in the darkest hours. It built a country that gave dignity to Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Druze alike. It created a democracy in a part of the world that had not known democracy. It brought the Jewish people back into history and humanity back to the hope of peace.”
This is a difficult day amidst dire times. Be strong and of good spirit. While it won't happen by itself, we will see better days. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Am Yisrael Chai.
Michael Scott