novum opus hominum

What the Syrian Constitution says about Assad and the Rebels

By Stephen Gowans

Prior to Assad drafting the new constitution, the US State Department complained that Syria had “failed to join an increasingly interconnected global economy,” which is to say, had failed to turn over its state-owned enterprises to private investors, among them Wall Street financial interests. The State Department also expressed dissatisfaction that “ideological reasons” had prevented Assad from liberalizing Syria’s economy, that “privatization of government enterprises was still not widespread,” and that the economy “remains highly controlled by the government.”

Were Assad to demonstrate a readiness to appease Wall Street’s demands he would have departed holus bolus from the dirigiste practices that had irritated the State Department. Instead, he did the opposite, drafting a constitution that mandated that the government maintain a role in guiding the economy on behalf of Syrian interests, and that the Syrian government would not make Syrians work for the interests of Western banks, oil companies, and other corporations. This was effectively a slap in Washington’s face.

He then compounded the sin by writing certain social rights into the constitution: security against sickness, disability and old age; access to health care; and free education at all levels. Now these rights would be placed beyond the easy reach of legislators and politicians who could sacrifice them on the altar of creating a low-tax, foreign-investment-friendly climate. To make matters worse, he included an article in the constitution which declared that “taxes shall be progressive.”

Finally, he took a step toward real, genuine democracy—a kind that decision-makers in Washington, with their myriad connections to the banking and corporate world—could hardly tolerate. He included a provision in the constitution requiring that at minimum half the members of the People’s Assembly are to be drawn from the ranks of peasants and workers.

Therein were the real reasons Washington, London and Paris rejected Assad’s concessions. It wasn’t that they weren’t genuine. It was that they were made to the wrong people: to Syrians, rather than Wall Street; to the Arabs, rather than Israel. And nor was it that his reforms weren’t democratic enough. It was that they were too democratic, too focused on safeguarding and promoting the interests of Syrians, rather than making Syrians promote the interests of Wall Street, Washington and Tel Aviv.

(via mutualassureddistraction)

Israeli forces raid Al Aqsa masjid, attack worshippers

Attack on Al-Aqsa going on right now.

Meanwhile in New Orleans, the MSA of University of New Orleans throws a successful sit-in walk-out protest.

thetruthaboutsyria:

SyrianGirl debates FSA on Australian show “insight”

Dropping truths

Zionist Logic — Malcolm X on Zionism

auzubillah:

Malcolm X (Omowale Malcolm X Shabazz)

Taken from The Egyptian Gazette — Sept. 17, 1964

The Zionist armies that now occupy Palestine claim their ancient Jewish prophets predicted that in the “last days of this world” their own God would raise them up a “messiah” who would lead them to their promised land, and they would set up their own “divine” government in this newly-gained land, this “divine” government would enable them to “rule all other nations with a rod of iron.”

If the Israeli Zionists believe their present occupation of Arab Palestine is the fulfillment of predictions made by their Jewish prophets, then they also religiously believe that Israel must fulfill its “divine” mission to rule all other nations with a rod of irons, which only means a different form of iron-like rule, more firmly entrenched even, than that of the former European Colonial Powers.

These Israeli Zionists religiously believe their Jewish God has chosen them to replace the outdated European colonialism with a new form of colonialism, so well disguised that it will enable them to deceive the African masses into submitting willingly to their “divine” authority and guidance, without the African masses being aware that they are still colonized.

CAMOUFLAGE

The Israeli Zionists are convinced they have successfully camouflaged their new kind of colonialism. Their colonialism appears to be more “benevolent,” more “philanthropic,” a system with which they rule simply by getting their potential victims to accept their friendly offers of economic “aid,” and other tempting gifts, that they dangle in front of the newly-independent African nations, whose economies are experiencing great difficulties. During the 19th century, when the masses here in Africa were largely illiterate it was easy for European imperialists to rule them with “force and fear,” but in this present era of enlightenment the African masses are awakening, and it is impossible to hold them in check now with the antiquated methods of the 19th century.

The imperialists, therefore, have been compelled to devise new methods. Since they can no longer force or frighten the masses into submission, they must devise modern methods that will enable them to manouevre the African masses into willing submission.

The modern 20th century weapon of neo-imperialism is “dollarism.” The Zionists have mastered the science of dollarism: the ability to come posing as a friend and benefactor, bearing gifts and all other forms of economic aid and offers of technical assistance. Thus, the power and influence of Zionist Israel in many of the newly “independent” African nations has fast-become even more unshakeable than that of the 18th century European colonialists… and this new kind of Zionist colonialism differs only in form and method, but never in motive or objective.

At the close of the 19th century when European imperialists wisely foresaw that the awakening masses of Africa would not submit to their old method of ruling through force and fears, these ever-scheming imperialists had to create a “new weapon,” and to find a “new base” for that weapon.

DOLLARISM

The number one weapon of 20th century imperialism is zionist dollarism, and one of the main bases for this weapon is Zionist Israel. The ever-scheming European imperialists wisely placed Israel where she could geographically divide the Arab world, infiltrate and sow the seed of dissension among African leaders and also divide the Africans against the Asians.

Zionist Israel’s occupation of Arab Palestine has forced the Arab world to waste billions of precious dollars on armaments, making it impossible for these newly independent Arab nations to concentrate on strengthening the economies of their countries and elevate the living standard of their people.

And the continued low standard of living in the Arab world has been skillfully used by the Zionist propagandists to make it appear to the Africans that the Arab leaders are not intellectually or technically qualified to lift the living standard of their people … thus, indirectly “enducing” Africans to turn away from the Arabs and towards the Israelis for teachers and technical assistance.

“They cripple the bird’s wing, and then condemn it for not flying as fast as they.”

The imperialists always make themselves look good, but it is only because they are competing against economically crippled newly independent countries whose economies are actually crippled by the Zionist-capitalist conspiracy. They can’t stand against fair competition, thus they dread Gamal Abdul Nasser’s call for African-Arab Unity under Socialism.

MESSIAH?

If the “religious” claim of the Zionists is true that they were to be led to the promised land by their messiah, and Israel’s present occupation of Arab Palestine is the fulfillment of that prophesy: where is their messiah whom their prophets said would get the credit for leading them there? It was Ralph Bunche who “negotiated” the Zionists into possession of Occupied Palestine! Is Ralph Bunche the messiah of Zionism? If Ralph Bunche is not their messiah, and their messsiah has not yet come, then what are they doing in Palestine ahead of their messiah?

Did the Zionists have the legal or moral right to invade Arab Palestine, uproot its Arab citizens from their homes and seize all Arab property for themselves just based on the “religious” claim that their forefathers lived there thousands of years ago? Only a thousand years ago the Moors lived in Spain. Would this give the Moors of today the legal and moral right to invade the Iberian Peninsula, drive out its Spanish citizens, and then set up a new Moroccan nation … where Spain used to be, as the European zionists have done to our Arab brothers and sisters in Palestine?…

In short the Zionist argument to justify Israel’s present occupation of Arab Palestine has no intelligent or legal basis in history … not even in their own religion. Where is their Messiah?

http://www.malcolm-x.org/docs/gen_zion.htm

Palestinian hero Leila Khaled opposes US machinations in Mid East

Leila Khaled, member of the Central Committee of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, was in Turkey to speak in a forum titled “The Dynamics of Transformation in the Middle East” organized by the Socialist Refoundation Party. Khaled talked about imperialist plans in Middle East and the resistance against these plans to the Turkish publication YURT (Liberation translation by Taylor Goel).

What do you think of the latest developments in the Middle East?

The Middle East has been a region of conflicts for centuries. The peoples in the region are waging liberation wars. European colonialists have come and gone from the Palestinian land, Ottomans, the same. Now Israel has come. Lying to the whole world and using religion, they came. They claimed they were given this land by God. We reject this. Why? Is God in the real estate business? Promising land for some and exiling others. We absolutely reject such a thing.

There are imperialist forces in the region that support and defend Israel. There are Arab leaderships in the region that pay homage to Israel. USA has been pushing a carrot-and-stick policy in the region. Reactionary Arab forces went to the White House and prostrated themselves one by one and apologized. “We will do whatever you say, our oil is yours”, they said. But the Arab people refuse to succumb.

Where does Turkey stand at this point?

Turkey leads the group that protects Israel. Israel has brought Turkey to her knees. Nine people from Turkey were murdered on the Mavi Marmara. Later, the Turkish consul was insulted. The Turkish government said that Israel was going to issue an apology but Israel never did. They even explicitly said “We will not apologize”. Despite all this, the Turkish government has further increased economic and military cooperation with Israel. The real defense of Israel is accomplished via Turkey. The biggest military base that belongs to the U.S.A. in the region is the Incirlik Base. My call to you: Get rid of that base. Expand the boycott against Israel.

Simon Peres has a new book “The new Middle East”. Check it out, it exactly follows the “Greater Middle East Initiative” of the U.S. As they will, they draw us like a picture and tear us into pieces. They determine how we shall live. You and us, all of us are in the same trench, targeted by these.

Turkey is an unconditional supporter of imperialism. In Turkey, the Kurds do not have the same rights as the Turks. More than ten thousand Kurds are piled in jail. Like the Palestinian inmates. Whatever Israel is doing to the Palestinians, Turkey is doing the same to the Kurds.

You will now ask why does Turkey draw so much of my attention? Of course it does because Turkey pokes her nose into everything in the region.

Would you explain the position of PFLP on the imperialist aggression in Syria?

Now, they want to establish the “Greater Middle East Initiative” using religious and sectarian conflict. This is what is going on in Syria. According to the last census, there are 11 million, 800 thousand Palestinians. But only a quarter of this population is living on Palestinian land. A huge population is exiled and the only country that has received that population with open arms is Syria. What was done to us is now being done to Syria.

I am screaming with the top of my voice: We stand by the Syrian Army and the people of Syria. We are confident in the people of Syria, who have taken us, Palestinians, under their wings and hosted us on their land for over sixty years. We are confident that they will prevail over this problem.

Is the revolutionary claim of PFLP still on?

Yes. After the death of George Habas, Abu Ali Mustafa was chosen as the General Secretary, to be killed by Israel shortly after. Our third President Ahmad Sa’adat was elected. He is now being held hostage in an Israeli prison. Despite all these hard times, as PFLP, we are still standing strong, continuing our struggle. Our biggest priority is the unity among Palestinians. As the PFLP, we are trying really hard to achieve this unity. I can say that PFLP is in good shape. And we played an important role in the last Gaza war.

What do you say about the cooperation of Hamas with Turkey?

Hamas has accepted cease-fire with Israel. As PFLP, we do not accept this and view this as the wrong attitude. As far as the relation Hamas has established with Turkey, we see it as one between political Islamists. Hamas does not represent all of Palestine.

Do you have any message for the revolutionary women in Turkey?

Continue your struggle, unite, act in unity. Do not believe in lies. It is not the “Greater Middle East Initiative” of the U.S. that will shape the Middle East but only us. All the peoples of the Middle East will rebuild it. together.

Shahid Muttaharis speech on the issue of Palestine

The period and era of using nuclear weapons is over. … Nuclear bombs are not anymore helpful and those who are stockpiling nuclear weapons, politically they are backward, and they are mentally retarded,

Ahmadenijad during a democracy forum in Bali, Indonesia.

truth.

cultureofresistance:

Evo Morales does what Arabs and Muslims should have done long ago. Bolivia Has Already Cut Ties With Israel, Seeks Genocide Charges Against Israeli Officials.
Bolivian President Evo Morales says Israel’s ‘attacks against humanity’ in Gaza threatens world peace.

“Bolivian President Evo Morales said on Wednesday that his country is breaking diplomatic ties with Israel over its 19-day-old campaign in Gaza, and said he will ask the International Criminal Court to bring genocide charges against top Israeli officials.”

Venezuela also cut ties to Israel over Gaza.

Venezuela announced Wednesday it is breaking diplomatic relations with Israel over the conflict in Gaza, joining Bolivia, which did the same thing earlier in the day. Bolivian President Evo Morales announces Wednesday that he is severing diplomatic ties with Israel.

In the announcement issued by the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry, the government cited, “the gravity of the atrocities against the Palestinian people.”

The statement accused the Israelis of having, “ignored, systematically, calls from the United Nations, violating in a repeated and shameless manner the resolutions approved by the overwhelming majority of their members and placing themselves ever more on the margin of international law.”

Read more here and here.

YES!

Latin American leaders are 5 steps ahead of the middle eastern ones in pretty much anything right.

(via canadian-communist)

Meanwhile on the wall map in my room. #palestine #israel had to fix that before putting it up.

Israel’s war of aggression against Gaza

hermannview:

I told my Russian friend yesterday about war in Gaza and said it was a war of aggression, and he agreed that was the case. This is different from the mass media, as Electronic Intifada reports: “international academics who recently participated in a conference on linguistics at the Islamic University of Gaza which decries major media outlets’ failure to report on recent killings of Palestinian civilians by Israeli forces in Gaza.” Even though the war hasn’t completely ramped up, I believe that Israel is committing crimes against peace (starting a war of aggression), war crimes (violating the laws of war and wanton killing) and crimes against humanity (murdering Palestinian civilians).

Of course, I am using definitions from the London Charter of the International Military Tribunal which formulated the “Nuremberg Principles.” In this article, you’ll learn how Israel has committed war crimes in its war of aggression, as I go through the applicable laws of war. Starting with the UN Charter, the core of international law, there are some clear violations. One could try to justify this war under Article 1, Clause 1, as “maintain[ing] international peace and security” and removing “threats to the peace,” but yet this action violates that because it making more violence, not peace in anyway. Hamas’s right to self defense in firing rockets into Israel shows that Israel’s war is not one that is bringing peace. Article 51 gives a state the right to retaliate if an “armed attack occurs,” yet only one anti-tank missile fell into Israel before the war, which doesn’t constitute this, meaning this article is being violated. Additionally, since Israel assassinated the commander of Hamas before the war when peace was being negotiated means Israel by engaging in this war instead of peaceful diplomacy is violating Article 2, Clause 3 and Clause 4 through the action of the war itself. Since Israel isn’t seeking peace, but wants an expanded armed conflict in Gaza, this violates Article 33 which says “the parties to any dispute, the continuance of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security, shall, first of all seek solution by…peaceful means.” In summary, Israel has violated these parts in the UN Charter:

Article 1, Clause 1

Article 2, Clause 3

Article 2, Section 4

Article 33

Article 51

Now I turn to the little-known Hague Conventions. Israel has only ratified the 1907 one, so I’ll just mention that one. For the issue of peace, since Israel went to war rather than solve its disputes diplomatically, it violated Article 1 of the CONVENTION FOR THE PACIFIC SETTLEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES (1907) , which states: “the Contracting Powers agree to use their best efforts to ensure the pacific settlement of international differences.” Has Israel really used its “best efforts?” No, it hasn’t. Also, it hasn’t followed the procedure set out in the rest of the treaty to have a mediator come to the conflict, which means article 2, which requires mediation of a conflict, is being violated.

After this, I turn to the Geneva Conventions. In this case, one parts of the Fourth Geneva Convention applies to this conflict. Article 3, section 1, clearly says that “the following acts are and shall remain prohibited…violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture,” which seems to be the only article that applies now since there aren’t boots on the ground at this time. By killing over 30 and wounding more than 250, the state of Israel has clearly violated this section of the Geneva Conventions. Antiwar.com’s Jason Ditz elaborates: “Israeli warplanes attacked the Interior Ministry today in the Gaza Strip and killed two senior Hamas military commanders in some of what were ultimately at least 200 distinct attacks against the tiny strip today alone. Other strikes hit refugee camps in the strip, and several children were among the dead overall. The bulk of the strikes never had any obvious target and seemingly just hit random residential neighborhoods. Estimates on the ground say that some 250 civilians have been wounded since Israel started the war on Wednesday…The relative lack of retaliation [from Hamas] doesn’t appear to enter into the equation for Israeli officials right now…and other suggesting that the attacks on the strip could go on for weeks, regardless of the reaction or lack thereof.” The factors I just described make it seem that more of the Hague Conventions are being violated. These include parts of the CONVENTION RESPECTING THE LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND (1907) including Article 25 which says that it is prohibited to “to kill or wound treacherously individuals belonging to the hostile nation or army…To employ arms, projectiles, or material of a nature to cause superfluous injury” and Article 26 which reads as follows: “The attack or bombardment of towns, villages, habitations or buildings which are not defended, is prohibited.” The bombing of a refugee camp and fact bombs are going everywhere without aim is a violation of these two articles. This convention and Article I of CONVENTION RELATIVE TO THE OPENING OF HOSTILITIES (1907) have sections saying the aggressor nation must either have a “reasoned declaration of war or of an ultimatum with conditional declaration of war.” Israel, in bombing Gaza, supposedly in “retaliation” has not done this in the slightest.

If the Manual of the Laws and Customs of War at Oxford, a basis for International Law was applicable, then Israel would have violated Article 15 (“Open towns, agglomerations of dwellings, or villages which are not defended can neither be attacked nor bombarded”) and Art. 13. (Saying it was forbidden to “Murder by treachery of individuals belonging to the hostile nation or army…employment of arms, projectiles or material calculated to cause unnecessary suffering…[and] Any destruction or seizure of the enemy’s property that is not imperatively demanded by the necessity of war”). Additionally, this war would have violated, if in effect, the 1938 Amsterdam Draft Convention for the Protection of Civilian Populations Against New Engines of War. Specifically articles 2 (“The bombardment by whatever means of towns, ports, villages or buildings which are undefended is prohibited in all circumstances. A town, port, village or isolated building shall be considered undefended provided that not only (a) no combatant troops, but also (b) no military, naval or air establishment, or barracks, arsenal, munition stores or factories, aerodromes or aeroplane workshops or ships of war, naval dockyards, forts, or fortifications for defensive or offensive purposes, or entrenchments”), Article 3 (“The bombardment by whatever means of towns, ports, villages or buildings which are defended is prohibited at any time (whether at night or day) when objects of military character cannot be clearly recognized”) and Article 4 (“Aerial bombardment for the purpose of terrorising the civilian population is expressly prohibited.”)

To conclude, I’d like to summarize what war crimes Israel has committed in terms of violations of the laws of war, which are as follows:

Violation of Article 1, Clause 1; Article 2, Clauses 3 & 4; Article 33; and Article 51 of the U.N. Charter

Violation of Articles 1 and 2 of the CONVENTION FOR THE PACIFIC SETTLEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES (1907)

Violation of Article 3, section 1 of the Fourth Geneva Convention

Violation of Articles 25 and 26 of the CONVENTION RESPECTING THE LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND (1907)

In order to spread this information, I’d say you should talk with your co-workers, friends, students or others about the war crimes Israel is committing in Gaza, then participate in and/or help organize direct action against this war, as its going to get worse, not better and more Palestinians will die at the mercy of a US-backed military force, so this must be stopped as soon as possible.

By Burkely Hermann, the sole HermannView blogger

(via hermannview-deactivated20130527)

Israel army counts 950 airstrikes on Gaza in four days

presstvchannel:

The Israeli army says it has bombarded the Gaza Strip 950 times since the beginning of the new wave of attacks on the blockaded enclave.

Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip continued for the fourth straight day on Saturday, while Tel Aviv’s military tanks fired shells towards eastern Gaza.

On Wednesday, the Israeli military launched a series of new air and sea attacks, dubbed “Operation Pillar of Cloud” against Gazans.

The Israeli offensive has so far left scores injured and 42 Palestinians dead.

The latest victims were killed with Israeli fire in the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis. The attack on Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza also left at least three dead.

Palestinian resistance fighters have fired missiles and rockets toward Israeli cities in retaliation for Tel Aviv’s deadly attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, Israeli Chief of the General Staff Benny Gantz approved the expansion of Israeli attacks against the Gaza Strip after calling up about 75,000 army reservists amid increasing signs that Tel Aviv is preparing for a full ground invasion of the enclave.

The Israeli military frequently carries out airstrikes and other attacks on the Gaza Strip, saying the actions are being conducted for defensive purposes. However, disproportionate force is always used, in violation of international law, and civilians are often killed or injured.

Palestinian anger on “Facebook” over Abbas’s statemen

GAZA,(PIC)– Hundreds of Palestinian journalists and citizens expressed deep dissatisfaction and anger at the PA president Mahmoud Abbas’s statements, saying that his speech does not live up to the Palestinian people’s expectations.

Hundreds of citizens, including journalists and intellectuals, protested against Abbas’s speech by writing comments on their own pages on Facebook, expecting an increase in protest demonstrations.

The speech came after an increase in the popular protests demanding the overthrow of the illegal head of the PA government Salam Fayyad, and an end to the security coordination.

The writer and political analyst Mustafa Ibrahim has said in commenting on the speech that Abu Mazen is trying to transfer the crisis from the West Bank to Gaza.

During his speech, Abbas incited the masses against Hamas, accusing it of preventing tax money to PA and that it receives funding “from here and there” and pointed with his hands without saying a word.

For his part, the journalist Alaa Holow said that the PA President Mahmoud Abbas has to live up to the expectations of Palestinian people who protested against high prices, national division and poor conditions that led somebody to attempt to burn himself.

The journalist Mohammed Sawafiri said that Abbas today with his speech declared his political suicide.

Hezbollah condemns Beirut bombing; Effort to destabilize Lebanon underway

fuckyeahmarxismleninism:

By Mick Kelly, Fight Back! News

Hezbollah, the largest anti-imperialist political party in Lebanon, condemned the Oct. 19 Beirut bombing that took the life of Brigadier General Wissam Al-Hasan and others. In a statement, Hezbollah declared, “This hideous crime is a vicious attempt to target stability and national unity,” and urged the “security and judicial apparatuses to use all efforts to control the crime, uncover its committers, and bring them to justice.”

Much of the western media is implying that supporters of Syria are behind the blast. There is no evidence that this is the case.

Syrian Information Minister, Omran al-Zoubi, denounced the bombing as “cowardly,” and on Oct. 19 stated, ”Such terrorist acts are condemned and unjustifiable wherever they happen.”

Hezbollah and other progressive political forces, including Lebanese communists, have worked hard to build a powerful national resistance project that is capable of standing up to imperialism and Zionism. They have struggled to overcome sectarian divisions within the country. The main leader of Hezbollah, General Secretary Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah, has been crucial to the effort to build national unity and to beat back Israeli aggression. Hezbollah and other democratic forces now play a leading role in the government of Lebanon.

Veterans For Peace Meets With Ahmadinejad

voluntaryexchange:

Members of Veterans For Peace, along with other U.S. peace activists, met Tuesday night with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Veterans For Peace President Leah Bolger addressed the meeting, stressing VFP’s commitment to doing everything possible to prevent a U.S. or U.S.-assisted attack on Iran. VFP hopes to send a delegation to Iran in October.

Bolger’s full prepared remarks follow:

“Good evening. Salaam alaikum President Ahmahdinejad, Honored Government Officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran, distinguished guests and colleagues.
“I am most pleased and honored to be in attendance with all of you, and to be able to represent Veterans For Peace—an organization of men and women who draw upon their experiences as military veterans to oppose war and militarism. By educating the public about the true costs of war, we hope to reveal its senseless immorality and to bring enough pressure to bear to end it.

“It is no secret that this meeting carries some controversy—but the truth is that this gathering is really quite remarkable—what other head of state is having meetings such as this? While you, Mr. President, have invited dozens of people to come together for discussion and dialog, the U.S. government has denied visas for 20 high-level Iranian diplomats and government officials. Veterans For Peace believes that open dialog is critical, and is very much appreciative of the opportunity this evening.

“Veterans For Peace is gravely concerned by the bellicose language coming from the government of Israel and the U.S. regarding Iran, as well as the words that President Obama is NOT saying—and that is, that the government of the U.S. will NOT support a military attack on Iran by Israel. We believe that without a specific denial of support for such an attack, that Israel will interpret this as tacit approval.

“We note that Iran has been a signatory to the NPT since its inception in 1968, even though it does not have a nuclear weapons program. Israel, on the other hand, which is NOT a signatory to the NPT has a fully developed nuclear weapons program, but does not acknowledge that it exists.
“We also note that Iran fully supports a “Nuclear Weapons-Free Middle East Zone,” yet this proposal has been dismissed out of hand by Israel, and has been virtually ignored by the U.S. media.

“In 1928 the United States and Persia signed the largely forgotten but still binding Kellogg-Briand Pact that outlaws all war. Iran and the United States and 79 other nations are parties to this treaty according to the U.S. State Department’s website. Furthermore the UN charter makes it clear that even the threat of war is a violation of international law.

“The point of everything I have just said is to note that it is not the government of Iran that is beating the drum for war.

“As veterans, we understand the true damage that is caused by war, and as Veterans For Peace, we feel it is our obligation to use our unique voice to point out ways in which war may be averted. We know that it is much more difficult to end wars once begun, than to prevent them from the beginning; therefore we are doing our utmost to stop this one before it starts. With regard to the current situation between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, we believe that the following actions would be productive measures in averting a war with Iran:

The U.S. should announce that it will revoke the $3B it gives Israel every year in military aid, should Israel attack Iran.

Insist that Israel be held to the same standards of openness and transparency that it demands of Iran with regard to its nuclear program, to include allowing IAEA inspectors into Israel, and signing on to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Remove its Carrier Battle Groups, loaded with dozens of nuclear weapons, from the region. Discontinue “military exercises” in the area.

Express full support for the Helsinki meetings in December, and the “Nuclear Free Middle East.” Pressure Israel to attend this meeting, which is scheduled for this December.

Stop using U.S. veto power to protect Israel from being held accountable for its actions by the UN.

“The main point I am trying to make in these remarks is that no matter what political differences of opinion we may have, the government of Iran, and more specifically, the people of Iran, have done nothing to warrant military action by either Israel or the U.S. The Iranian government maintains some policies with which we may disagree, but that disagreement does not justify the collective punishment of the people of Iran with economic sanctions (which VFP considers immoral and a violation of international law) and it most certainly does not justify military actions. One of the tenets of the Veterans For Peace statement of purpose is to prevent OUR government from interfering overtly or covertly in the affairs of other nations. VFP supports the self-determination of all peoples.
“Veterans For Peace wishes to acknowledge Iran on its recent assumption as the leader of the Non Aligned Movement, and the successful summit held in Tehran just weeks ago. Our organization seeks opportunities to work with organizations within NAM countries to resist and oppose war and militarism.

“Veterans For Peace will continue to resist our country’s propensity for war—we will be demonstrating in the streets, we will be lobbying our Congressmen, we will be speaking out, we will be arrested and we will be jailed. We will study the cultures of others, and learn from them and we will seek every opportunity for dialog and relationship-building with those our government labels as our quote, “enemy.” VFP seeks the opportunity to send a delegation to Iran at the earliest opportunity. There is a strong interest in our organization to meet with veterans of other nations because military veterans understand the reality of war—the deaths, the physical and mental injuries of our own military as well as those against whom we have fought. We know the Iranian people suffered greatly when Iraq chose to attack Iran in the long, eight year war and that you too have programs to help your veterans deal with the horrors of war. It is my hope that such a visit may be organized in the very near future.

“Thank you.”

Veterans For Peace was founded in 1985 and has approximately 5,000 members in 150 chapters located in every U.S. state and several countries. It is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization recognized as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) by the United Nations, and is the only national veterans’ organization calling for the abolishment of war.

(via mylittlemexicanarabopinion)