LANSING AREA PEACE EDUCATION CENTER STATEMENT ON IRAN ATTACK

The Lansing Area Peace Education Center stands firmly against war and genocide. This week we watch in horror as the U.S. enters into an unprovoked war against Iran. We call on all people to stand firmly against military aggression. 

This illegal and unjustifiable attack is happening even as the U.S. and Iran are in the middle of negotiations. Iran had purportedly agreed to the core demands of the U.S. to allow IAEA inspections, give up production of enriched uranium, and downgrade the existing stockpile of uranium.

The Foreign Minister of Oman, Badr Albusaidi, who was mediating these talks, stated “I am dismayed. Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined. Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this. And I pray for the innocents who will suffer. I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war.”

The U.S. is conducting this bombing in cooperation with Israel which has long been terrorizing their neighbors to enhance their own land holdings and power in the region. One of the first bombs dropped in this week’s attack hit a school of young girls – a horrific reminder of Israel’s callous genocide of Palestinians. 

Recently, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned of damage to international law resulting from Israel’s unchecked use of force against Palestinians. His words are especially important as the U.S. joins hands with Israel today.

“We must say this clearly: the world is moving toward a condition where international law no longer is respected and governs international relations.

What is perhaps most dangerous is the precedent being established: that if a state has sufficient political cover and protection, it may bomb civilians, besiege populations, target infrastructure, assassinate individuals across borders, and still demand to be regarded as lawful.

This is not merely a Palestinian problem. It is a global problem.

We are witnessing not only the tragedy of Palestine, but the transformation of the world into a place where the law is replaced by force.”

We should heed his words carefully and call on Congress to reign in the executive branch of the government from pursuing an ill-advised and unauthorized attack on a sovereign nation. The use of force cannot be allowed to replace the rule of law.

Lansing Area Peace Education Center

http://www.peaceedcenter.org/