Editorial*, Liberation Journal
The decision of the British government, together with its counterparts in Australia, Norway, Canada and New Zealand to impose sanctions on two far-right warmongering Israeli ministers is a welcome small step in support of the Palestinian people and their noble cause. It is, however, long overdue and should only be considered as a start in reversing the egregious entrenched complicity of the UK government in the Israeli genocide perpetrated against the people of Gaza.
The two ministers in question are notorious extremists who prop up the government of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court as one of the principal architects of the genocide. Ending trade with and vital military support for Israel – along with the breaking-off of diplomatic relations with the apartheid state, just as many countries did during the 1980s with then apartheid South Africa, is a wholly legitimate demand by all those who support the freedom and independence of the people of Palestine.
Liberation views the recent half-hearted retreats by Starmer’s front bench as some of the fruits borne of the efforts of the hundreds of thousands of us across Britain who have persisted over the past dark 20 months to march and advocate for justice and peace, as well as a vindication of their principled stance that there can be no justification for standing by the ultra-right government currently in power in Israel and its perpetrating of crimes against humanity. We believe emphatically that history stands on our side!
Elsewhere Starmer is attempting to build another international coalition, but its aims are far from peaceful. Together with France and other European states he is pursuing a path of jingoism vis-à-vis the conflict in Ukraine by seeking to create an anti-Russian alliance prepared for war, which could ignite worldwide catastrophe.
Liberation has consistently argued that the current drive to war in Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, Congo and Sudan is pushing the world towards a Third World War-type scenario. Sale of arms and military technology by the US, UK, France, Turkey, and other merchants of death and destruction has ensured these violent conflicts are continually expanding and that their tragedies are repeated over and over.
Sudan, in the heart of Africa, a country in the throes of revolutionary change just five short years ago, is now being made to bleed to death before the eyes of the world. The weapons are provided by the US via the UAE, Saudi Arabia, as well as by Iran and others.
In Congo, a war for to plunder the rich resources of minerals and rare compounds of this devastated African country has continued on for three decades now. This issue of Liberation Journal exposes the current war as one actively sponsored by imperialist countries in Europe and North America, rather than merely reflecting a local conflict with Rwanda.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has issued new threats and deadlines against the theocratic dictatorship in Iran. His concerns are not the rights of the Iranian people, but to keep Iran subservient to US-Israeli geostrategic designs and interests in the region including the new Middle East Plan.
The world has already had a glimpse of the US’ ‘vision’ with the December 2024 regime change in Syria, where Ahmed al-Sharaa, a wanted terrorist leader, was enthroned in power without any concern for the rights, wishes and wellbeing of the Syrian people.
Such brinkmanship in international relations is no substitute for open transparent negotiations which could serve to prevent further war.
In Iran, Palestine, and throughout the Middle East, the key to peace and democracy is the recognition of the independence and sovereignty of nations. Britain needs an independent non-aligned foreign policy free of US diktats. In contrast, the current policy of the UK government rests on a dangerous axis portending a global disaster!
*By Jamshid Ahmadi, Liberation Journal Editor
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Photo: Washington D.C., United States. Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets Donald Trump, the President of the United States of America for a bilateral meeting at the White House. Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street/ Creative Commons
