Insights on Global Challenges and Community Leadership: Colonel Michael Scott’s Recent Discussion on Tali Shine
In Episode 10 of Tali Shine on ADH TV, Tali speaks with Colonel Michael Scott, a seasoned military veteran and the CEO of the 2023 Foundation, a charity dedicated to combating antisemitism. In their conversation, Tali and Michael dive into global issues, focusing on Michael's extensive military experience and his commitment to supporting Israel and fighting hatred. As someone who has served in multiple conflict zones, Michael shares his firsthand insights, offering a unique perspective on the complexities of the Middle East and the mission of the 2023 Foundation.
For full details, watch here.
Tali:
Many have spoken about the escalating conflict in the Middle East, but few have seen it firsthand and have an on-the-ground understanding like my first guest. Today, I'm joined by Colonel Michael Scott, CSC. Michael is the CEO and founder of the 2023 Foundation, a harmonisation charity that focuses on combating antisemitism. That’s what he’ll be talking about today. Michael, thank you for joining us.
Michael:
Hey, Tali, great to be with you tonight.
Tali:
Before we jump into talking about your charity, can you briefly tell us about your time in military service?
Michael:
Certainly. I’m at the mid-career point of my working life, 48 years of age. Behind me is a 30-year military career in the Australian Army, which began in the early 1990s after I left school. I joined as a private soldier in 1994, graduated in 1997, and served in the Royal Australian Armoured Corps. I’ve served in East Timor, Bougainville, Iraq, and two tours of Afghanistan. Most recently, from 2019 to 2021, I was seconded to the United Nations, living in Jerusalem, where I was responsible for unarmed Military Observers with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), a mission operating since 1948 across Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt.
Tali:
And when you were living in Israel and working as a military peacekeeper, can you tell our viewers a bit about that mission?
Michael:
Yes, absolutely. The UNTSO is the first-ever United Nations peacekeeping mission, and Australia has been supporting it since 1956. Many observers have rotated through the mission over the last 70 years. I was appointed as Deputy Chief of Staff under a Norwegian Major General, responsible for 153 military observers from 27 countries, including non-traditional partners like Russia and China. We operated on a Chapter 6 mandate, unarmed, across the Golan Heights, South Litani River in Lebanon, and the Kenetra sector in Syria. We had liaison officers in Beirut, Damascus, Amman, Cairo, and Jerusalem. It was a fantastic professional development opportunity, especially given the challenges like COVID, potential escalation with the third Intifada, the Syrian civil war, and the Beirut explosion on August 4, 2020.
Tali:
So, talking of Lebanon, today we’ve seen reports that a senior Hezbollah leader has been eliminated. What does success look like in Lebanon, do you feel?
Michael:
It’s important to understand that the ongoing conflict is not with Lebanon as a whole, but with Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organisation. I’ve spent a lot of time in Lebanon. It’s a beautiful country, rich in history dating back to the Phoenicians. Modern Lebanon comprises Christians, Sunni and Shia Muslims, and Druze. The military operations in Lebanon will likely continue for a few more months to re-establish deterrence and weaken Hezbollah’s capacity to launch attacks into northern Israel. Since the Hamas invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, northern Israel has been under rocket attacks, and 100,000 people, including 70,000 in the north, are displaced.
Tali:
You’ve also been on the ground in Gaza. Last month, you went with the IDF. What did you see there, and how does success look there?
Michael:
Yes, I was invited to participate in an international veterans’ delegation, which included veterans from the UK, US, France, Canada, and Romania. I was there in a private capacity, related to my harm minimisation charity focused on combating antisemitism. What I saw was the immense effort the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) goes to in minimizing civilian casualties. In my view, the IDF is the most educated, ethical, and lawful military force in the world, and their restraint in these difficult circumstances is truly humbling.
Tali:
You’ve had experience all around the world, so that means a lot coming from you, someone who’s actually seen it firsthand. Now, there’s been a lot written recently about the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Can you describe what you think went wrong?
Michael:
UNIFIL operates under UN Resolution 1701, established in 2006. One of the structural challenges I noticed was that the mandate doesn’t allow peacekeepers to enter private property. This has led to frustrations, as terrorist infrastructure has been set up in close proximity to UN personnel. For example, just before I joined the mission, there was a report that a UNIFIL patrol deviated from its designated path and encountered an illegal roadblock. Weapons were taken from the unarmed peacekeepers, which was alarming to me, as I had served in Iraq and Afghanistan, where depriving a soldier of their weapon would escalate the situation dramatically. The mandate’s restrictions have made it difficult to effectively monitor the area, and I believe that’s one of the core problems.
Tali:
Talking of the UN, what do you think is the future of UNRWA? Is there a better organization that can fill its mission without spreading Jewish hate and facilitating terrorism, which we’ve seen with UNRWA?
Michael:
As a colonel in the Australian Army transitioning into my role as CEO of a charity, I can’t speak to the politics directly. However, I recommend readers look into Dr. Enad Wilf’s work, particularly her book The War of Return, which offers compelling insights into some of the challenges in the Middle East.
Tali:
We’ve seen Iran directly attack Israel twice and reports of leaked information from the American administration. Where do you see this heading?
Michael:
We’re living in a period of historical significance. The parameters of the Middle East are shifting, and I hope this will lead to a rapprochement between Israel and some Muslim countries, particularly through the Abraham Accords with Saudi Arabia and others. It’s a fragile moment, but there’s potential for a better future.
Tali:
Michael, you’re deeply involved in combating antisemitism. As someone who’s lived in Israel but isn’t Jewish, what motivated you to take this stance?
Michael:
My wife and I lived in Jerusalem for 27 months. It was our home, and we made lifelong friends there. Israel is not only the Jewish state—it’s home to Arabs, Christians, Muslims, Druze, and other minorities. I was shocked by the violence on October 7th and the subsequent antisemitism that has surfaced. My wife and I decided not to be bystanders. I began seeing posts from old schoolmates promoting harmful narratives. When I tried to engage in conversation, I was shouted down and canceled. This spurred me to take action, inspired by the example of the Fulbright Scholarship and Benjamin Franklin’s philosophy of learning by involvement. So, I started the 2023 Foundation to send people to Israel, whether on scholarships, industry placements, or gap years, to experience the country firsthand and understand it better.
Tali:
If our viewers want to learn more about your missions and the 2023 Foundation, how can they contact you?
Michael:
I’m on LinkedIn, and my website is www.23foundation.org.au. If anyone is interested, please reach out to Tali and her team, and we’ll make the connection.
Tali:
You mentioned that your mission will be in April 2025. Do you think the war will be over by then?
Michael:
That’s a million-dollar question. It’s difficult to predict. We’re living in a time of historic significance, with challenges in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. I believe that the first activity in April 2025 is good to go, but of course, we may need to adjust depending on the situation at that time. If the opportunity arises to return to Israel tomorrow, I’d embrace it without hesitation. The resilience of the people there is remarkable, and there’s a form of normalcy in the midst of abnormal circumstances that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world.
Tali:
Michael Scott, thank you so much for joining me and for all the amazing work you’re doing.
Michael:
Thanks, Tali. Great to see you.