- by Marcus Browning
- The Guardian
- Issue #2182
No war on Iran IPAN rally Boorloo/Perth, 2020.
The Albanese government is taking Australia into the US/Israel war on Iran. Australians have every right to be angry and outraged as once again the rich and powerful of this planet, the huge transnational corporations, have sent their military machines to grab land and resources which are not theirs.
The aggression is an act of arrogance and of contempt for the international community which opposes it.
A vast movement of the people for peace and against war is sweeping the world. It is a movement seen before in human history. Very broad sections of the community have taken to the streets and taken many other actions against the war on Iran and against Israel’s genocide of the Palestinians.
Behind the war are the forces of international capital and imperialism. They have become more and more ferocious and desperate as the movement against war and opposition to the economic and social policies of the IMF and the transnational corporations increases.
The leaders and giant corporations of the United States head the drive to war and oppression. Their aim is the reimposition of colonial regimes everywhere.
In desperation, they have thrown all caution to the wind and torn up long established norms of behaviour and international law. The war camp is no longer able to achieve its objectives by economic and political means and is more and more resorting to brute military force — invasion, occupation, the direct appointment of governments and the suppression of the popular people’s movements.
If the US-Israeli war is a war for regime change then it is a war that cannot be won without enormous loss of human life. There are nearly 100 million people in Iran, a large section of whom will defend their republic till their death.
US DOMINATION
It is a war for US domination of the Middle East, a war for oil, a war for US supremacy over the oil-producing nations of the Arab world. Wars against other nations are planned. As in the past, an Australian government is following the US into war. The Albanese government has played a despicable role, handing over Australia’s independence and sovereignty to the service of a war-mongering power.
Historically, governments have hidden the truth about the US military base at Pine Gap (near Alice Springs) which is now directing the missiles and bombs to their targets in Iran and spying on Iran’s communications.
The cost of the war will be paid by cuts to Medicare and public health services, and will create a shortage of money for public education, job creation and social services.
The joint US-Israel attack on Iran is an illegal war. The forces for peace must do everything to prevent Australia’s further involvement in it, and break from Trump’s reckless war rampage. This is a monstrous and immoral war waged by the most powerful military force in the world against a small power, already bringing death and destruction to the people of Iran.
This act is not only a violation of the Charter of the United Nations but is further tearing at the fabric of long-established norms of international relations and is also aimed at the very existence of the United Nations itself.
It is a war in disregard of the strong opposition of the majority of people around the world. There is a gathering storm of opposition with France, Russia, China, Germany, and many other countries bringing a common demand that there be “No war on Iran.”
The actions of the US and Israel are war crimes and should be immediately taken up by the International Criminal Court.
PM Albanese echoing the strategic plan of the United States to justify war against Iran reflects that Australia is already deeply enmeshed in the long-range plans of the United States for world domination. The participation of any Australian military forces to Iran is not the “minuscule” or “token” involvement that some in the media are suggesting.
The Australian government can and should make a contribution to peace by immediately withdrawing from the AUKUS war-making alliance. The US spy station at Pine Gap should be closed. US warships should be refused entry to Australian ports.
TRAMPLING ON DEMOCRACY
The Albanese government is morally and politically bankrupt; it ignores public opinion and tramples on democratic rights.
The major political parties which have dominated elections have failed the people of Australia. They have failed the innocent victims of war in Iran and Palestine. They have failed the planet, plunging it into a war which could escalate. The US is already claiming the right to use nuclear weapons.
We have to wage a political war for a new kind of government which will listen to the people and act in our interests. A government which will end the military alliance with the US and close the US bases. A government of the people and for the people.
Let us build the movement to stop the war so it reaches into every city, every neighbourhood, every street, every workplace in this country. If the government will not listen to the overwhelming majority of the people, throw it out! Let the people set the agenda.
