Erin Molan, an Australian broadcaster and host of 69 X Minutes, has become a powerful advocate for Israel following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and massacre. For Erin, there’s nothing that could be more black and white in the fight of good against evil. In a wide ranging and very personal conversation on the Inspiration from Zion podcast, Erin shared the reasons for her unwavering support for Israel, condemnation of Hamas, call for others to join her, and the influence of her faith and her late father, Major General Jim Molan.
Her journey, marked by personal sacrifice and resilience, positions her as a modern “Righteous Gentile,” standing boldly for justice despite significant backlash.
Erin’s support for Israel is rooted in a clear moral distinction between good and evil. She describes the October 7 attack as a stark manifestation of terrorism, with Hamas perpetrating sadistic acts against innocent civilians, including women and children.
In her first visit to Israel, Erin witnessed the aftermath of the Hamas atrocities, solidifying her stance. She was struck by Israelis’ resilience, sharing an example of a woman tending roses at the home of one of the hostages so it would still be beautiful when she returned. She met volunteers, including non-Jews from overseas, rebuilding destroyed communities, reflecting hope amidst devastation.
Erin unequivocally sees Israel as a democratic nation fighting for survival against an enemy that seeks its annihilation, as Hamas’s charter explicitly calls for the destruction of Jews and Israel. She believes Israel’s efforts to minimize civilian casualties, despite Hamas’s use of human shields, underscore its moral high ground.
Erin condemns Hamas unilaterally. They are “sadistic, evil, murderous” terrorists who derive joy from civilian suffering, as evidenced by raw footage she viewed of the October 7 attacks. She affirms that Hamas, not Israel, is responsible for the suffering in Gaza, pointing to the embedded terrorist infrastructure in civilian areas to maximize casualties and manipulate global opinion. “Hamas is killing kids in Gaza,” she stated, criticizing media narratives that obscure this reality by framing Israel’s defensive actions as unprovoked or disproportionate.
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Erin insists that the conflict could end if Hamas released the hostages and disarmed, placing the onus for the ongoing war and human suffering squarely on the terrorists. Her frustration with the world’s failure to universally condemn Hamas compels her advocacy, as she believes Hamas’ extremist ideology threatens not just Israel but global democratic values.
Erin zealously calls on others to join her supporting Israel, uncomfortable with the praise and recognition she has received for doing something that she says everyone should be doing. She notes that Israel’s fight is part of a global fight for civilization itself.
Repeatedly she refers to the urgency to take this stance, as a mother, for her daughter’s future and her generation. She notes that the threat of terrorism extends beyond Israel to countries like Australia, where she fears her seven-year-old daughter could face a future marred by extremist ideologies. “This threat is here. It’s in all our countries,” she warned, noting that terrorists “don’t care” about their victims’ identities.
Erin believes a silent majority supports Israel but remains quiet due to fear of social or professional repercussions. When she was called a modern Righteous Gentile, using the example of nearly 27,000 gentiles who selflessly saved Jewish people during the Holocaust, risking their own lives, she pondered why more people don’t speak out when risks today —social ostracism or job loss—are far less severe than the mortal dangers faced by those who saved Jews. Her mission is to reach the “mainstream middle” misled by biased media narratives, citing an example of a Queensland miner whose perspective shifted after hearing her. She doesn’t seek to force agreement but to present facts, allowing others to align their values with the truth.
Erin’s Christian values, and the role model of her late father, Maj. General Jim Molan, profoundly shape her moral foundation and worldview. Erin’s experiences post-October 7, and her first visit to Israel including a visit to the Western Wall, rekindled her spiritual journey. At the Wall, despite personal and professional losses and other things she could pray for, she simply wrote her prayer to God, “Thank you,” reflecting a gratitude rooted in faith. Her Christian values—compassion, justice, and integrity—guide her advocacy, as she cares equally for children in Gaza and Israel but holds Hamas accountable for their plight.
Erin’s father, Maj. General Jim Molan, was not only her role model but provided her with a practical worldview and prism through which she sees Israel’s war against Hamas. Her father was a revered Australian military leader and senator who died in 2023. He has the distinction of being Australia’s most voted for senator. He remains Erin’s moral compass.
His experiences commanding coalition forces in Iraq, where he prioritized minimizing civilian casualties, taught her the importance of maintaining moral standards in conflict. “If we lower ourselves to who they are, what are we fighting for?” he told her, a lesson she applies to Israel’s fight against Hamas. Despite being labeled a “war criminal” by protesters, Molan’s resilience and clarity of purpose inspired Erin to be prepared to face similar vilification she has experienced recently. His legacy as a principled leader, coupled with his support for Israel, lives on in her. She vows to keep his name and values alive through mentioning him, his name, and his greatness, as often as possible.
Erin’s vocal advocacy has come at a cost: death threats, job loss, and personal strain as a mother. Yet, she remains steadfast, driven by her father’s example and her commitment to her daughter’s future. She shares a poignant moment in visiting Israel when an IDF soldier gifted her an Israeli flag from his uniform, crediting her videos for boosting morale among troops who felt misunderstood and abandoned by the world. This interaction, among others, underscores her impact in providing comfort and clarity to those on the frontlines.
Erin closed the conversation passionately, distinguishing herself as a Modern Righteous Gentile: “It's an honor and privilege to stand with you and your people, and I will do so for the rest of my life.”
Author’s Note: Do you know another Modern Righteous Gentile who has put his or her livelihood, or life, at risk standing for Israel and the Jewish people? Feel free to share your thoughts at InspirationfromZion@gmail.com.