In their first reactions to US-Israel attacks on Iran, top European politicians have once again shown, if there was any doubt left, their main concern is to preserve their own relevance in international spaces while pleasing the Trump administration.
From EU High Representative Kaja Kallas to French President Emmanuel Macron, most leaders issued comments that not only failed to denounce the illegality of US-Israel attacks, but at times even failed to mention the two as initiators. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated: “For regional security and stability, it is of the utmost importance that there is no further escalation through Iran’s unjustified attacks on partners in the region.”
Read more: A war that cannot be won: Israel and the United States bomb Iran
Political figures who undermine and obstruct attempts to bring the Ukraine war to an end through diplomatic means have also stated that the Iranian government must now engage in talks. Macron wrote on social media: “The Iranian regime must understand that it now has no other option but to engage in good faith in negotiations.”
It appears Macron and his colleagues were unaware that the Iranian government had in fact been involved in negotiations until the very launch of the illegal attacks. Of this, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament said: “It is absolutely clear that the US had no intention of securing a new deal and is intent on destroying the country to bring about regime change.”
While unable to name the US as initiator of a new devastating war in West Asia, European statements frequently referenced “partners in the region.” Considering both von der Leyen and Kallas emphasized Israeli officials among these associates, it appears the EU remains determined not to even hide that its favorite “partner” in the region is an occupation power conducting genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Left movements organize radically different response
Rejections of the mainstream political line were swift. Fast-response protests and rallies launched within hours of the attacks breaking out, including in Germany and Britain. Peace and anti-militarization groups including Stop the War Coalition warned that the attacks “will lead to death and destruction in Iran” and “threaten wider war across the region with unimaginable consequences.” During the events, many called out national governments for allowing US forces to use their territory or airspace as they prepared for the assault.
Left parties and politicians also denounced the illegal attacks on Iran and urged governments to change course. Current and former MEPs from The Left criticized EU officials for their hypocrisy, specifically for applying double standards when commenting on Iran’s retaliation. “Inexpressible contempt for fork-tongued EU ‘leaders,’ pretending in recent weeks to give a damn about civilians in Iran, now openly or tacitly endorsing their slaughter,” Irish politician Clare Daly wrote on social media.
Your Party’s Jeremy Corbyn and Workers’ Party of Belgium’s Peter Mertens called the US and Israel attacks unjustifiable, insisting the Trump administration purposefully chose war over peace and diplomacy. “We stand on the side of humanity and international law, against the idea that Israel and the US can bomb anyone they please,” Mertens added.
The Italian left party Potere al Popolo similarly denounced the attacks, criticizing Giorgia Meloni’s government. “No one is safe as long as the governments of the US and Israel can commit piracy and massacres with impunity, from Venezuela to Cuba, the Middle East, and the whole world,” the party stated.
The post EU leaders condemn escalation in West Asia, without naming US and Israel as aggressors appeared first on Peoples Dispatch.
From Peoples Dispatch via This RSS Feed.