The United States-Israel illegal bombing campaign of Iran’s nuclear facilities and targeted assassinations in civilian areas risk fuelling a wider catastrophic war. It echoes the US’ illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq 22 years after false allegations of the Saddam Hussein regime having weapons of mass destruction.
The United Nations Secretary-General told the Security Council on June 22 that the US bombing Iran’s nuclear sites was a “perilous turn”, warning that the region cannot endure yet another “cycle of destruction”.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has warned that violence could reach “unthinkable levels” and the global non-proliferation regime, the Non-Proliferation Treaty (to which Iran is a signatory since 1970 and Israel is not) “could crumble and fall”.
Asked about the legality of the Israel-US strikes, foreign minister Penny Wong told ABC News on June 23 that “the world has agreed that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon and we support action to prevent that, and that is what this is”.
She said the [US] “strikes are on facilities which are designed for the purpose of a nuclear program. We know that the UN nuclear watchdog has said that Iran has enough heavily enriched uranium to enable it to, enough for several nuclear weapons … so we, like others in the international community, do not want Iran to get a nuclear weapon.”
However, the IAEA said as recently as May 31 that while it is concerned with Iran’s lack of reporting on aspects of its nuclear program, it “has no credible indications of an ongoing, undeclared structured nuclear programme … in Iran and notes the statements of the highest officials in Iran that the use of nuclear weapons is incompatible with Islamic Law”.
It also said a direct hit on Iran’s operating nuclear power station “could result in a very high release of radioactivity”.
Israel’s genocide in Gaza continues, with US political and military support. More than 400 starving Palestinians have been shot and nearly 2000 wounded since the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began distributing minuscule amounts of aid in May.
Since Israel broke the two-month long ceasefire, launching a massive assault on Gaza on March 18, at least 5647 Palestinians have been killed and 19,201 wounded. Hospitals are running out of fuel and supplies, and there is no longer enough fuel for ambulances.
sydney_01_zeb.jpg
Protests across Australia over June 21–22 demanded the Australian government come out strongly against the Israel-US attacks on Iran, and reiterated the need for sanctions on Israel for its war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank.
Thousands marched through the streets of Gadigal Country/Sydney on June 22, after US President Donald Trump announced that the US had joined Israel’s illegal and unprovoked bombing of Iran.
Peter Boyle reports that Amal Naser from the Palestine Action Group Sydney (which organised the protest) said that Israel was the only country in the Middle East that had nuclear weapons and refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
NSW Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi told protesters that the Australian and other Western governments had shown “extreme moral cowardice” by refusing to stand up to this brutal aggression. The protest called on Labor to break its military alliance with the US and to sanction Israel.
iran_rally_syd_01_zeb.jpg
A snap protest was held at Sydney Town Hall on June 20 to oppose Israel’s bombing of Iran. The rally was organised by left-wing Iranian community activists and joined by various groups.
pag_supreme_court.jpg
Palestine Action Group took the NSW Labor government to the Supreme Court to challenge the draconian anti-protest laws it introduced in February, reports Isaac Nellist.
A rally and press conference was held outside the court before proceedings began on June 19.
naarm_04_jordan.jpg
Thousands joined the weekly rally in Naarm/Melbourne on June 22, reports Chloe DS.
naarm_merge.jpg
An emergency protest was held outside the Egyptian Consulate in the Naarm CBD on June 19 in response to the Sumud Convoy being blocked and the arrest and detainment of activists participating in the Global March to Gaza, reports Jordan AK.
dsc_0599.jpg
Palestine solidarity activists in Kaurna Yerta/Adelaide marched along the beach from Glenelg to Brighton in solidarity with the Sumud Convoy and the Global March to Gaza, reports Jordan Ellis.
sydney_02_zeb.jpg
sydney_05_peter.jpg
sydney_03_zeb.jpg
iran_rally_syd_02_zeb.jpg
dsc_0698.jpg
dsc_0527.jpg
