ANSWER Indiana, a long-standing and consistently active anti-war organization in Indianapolis, issued the following statement to help progressive people clearly understand and explain the current crisis. ANSWER Indiana is a coalition accepting individual and organizational members, who help shape their vision and strategy. See the form at the bottom to inquire about joining.
After decades of nonstop threats, assassinations, sanctions, and acts of war by the U.S. and Israel against Iran and Syria, the danger of a devastating regional war with Iran, an a potential broader war, looms over West Asia and the globe.
The last straw was Israel’s April 1 bombing of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria that killed dozens of Iranians, including top Iranian military officials. This was an unprovoked and, according to international law, flagrantly illegal act. States with diplomatic buildings in foreign countries retain sovereignty over their embassies, which means Israel bombed Iranian territory. Last week, Iran responded in a relatively restrained manner by firing numerous drones and missiles in response, as is its legal and just right.
For those in the U.S. anti-war movement and everyone who wants peace, it is absolutely imperative that we have an objective assessment of the balance of forces at play. We have to do everything we can to counter the imperialist propaganda that our friends, coworkers, neighbors, and others are subjected to on a daily basis.
Getting the facts right: An objective assessment
While the mainstream media in the U.S. seeks to pin the blame for escalating tensions on Iran, it is abundantly clear that the destabilizing force in the region is not Iran, but U.S.-Israeli imperialism. First and foremost among the reasons for the recent escalation is the ongoing genocide perpetrated by Israel in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has killed tens of thousands of people by carpet bombing, leaving more than 1 million more are facing acute stages of malnourishment and starvation.
Israel’s heinous behavior has, of course, provoked responses from countries across the region that stand with the Palestinian people against genocide. Unjustly portrayed in the West as “proxies” of Iran, groups across Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq who have organic roots in the struggle against Israeli and U.S. occupation are heroically standing up for the people of Palestine as the government speaking in our name continues to fund and support Israel’s crimes.
Yemen, notably the poorest country in the region and one of the poorest countries in the world, has suffered immensely as a result of the decade-long war of U.S.-Saudi aggression. Courageously, Yemen pressured Israel to end its war on Gaza by closing the Red Sea to Israeli ships, in spite of harsh reprisals from the U.S.
Israel, which has not achieved its primary objectives after six months of atrocities in Gaza, is now suffering militarily, economically, and diplomatically, facing a cascading series of crises that threaten its stability. Out of hopes for drawing the U.S. into direct participation to help stabilize the situation, Israel has worked to ratchet up provocations against Iran, setting the stage for a regional war that could devastate the entire region.
The people want peace
While U.S. leaders continue to flirt with disaster by backing Israel’s reprehensible adventurism, the people of the U.S. are tired of endless war. One can only imagine how much the people of targeted countries yearn for peace.
The U.S. ruling class is hesitant to get involved in a wider war, especially against Iran, because they know not only that they cannot win, but that such a war would likely result in a serious social crisis at home, as people here have already engaged in months of unprecedented actions in support of the Palestinian resistance.
This is why the continuation and growth of the struggle for Palestine and against U.S. imperialism in the Middle East is vital. Popular movements are a decisive factor in the decision-making process of the imperialists, who understand that their wars are deeply unpopular at home and whose military leaders know they are already overextended in their ongoing war campaigns against Russia and China.
The peace movement is continuing to grow, with major upheavals, disruptions, and protests in cities and towns across the country. The ongoing occupation of Columbia University campus by its own students in the face of major disciplinary reprisals is an inspiring development that signals that the movement for a liberated Palestine and a peaceful world is continuing to surge.
Build a peace movement in Indy: Join ANSWER Indiana!
It is up to us to make sure that the momentum keeps growing. By staying active in the struggle and out in the streets, everyday people can help avoid a devastating regional war and bring an end to the criminal occupation of Palestine. There is only so much any one person or organization can do, which is why ANSWER Indiana actively seeks new members, whether they be individuals or groups of any kind.
Membership in ANSWER Indiana is open to any person or organization desiring a peaceful world, one of mutual prosperity and without violent conflict. As a genuine coalition, when you join you become part of the process of formulating the vision and strategy of the organization. There are various roles people and groups can play, and we need all the forces we can muster.
If you, someone you know, or an organization is interested in building our coalition, let us know by filling out the form below!
Featured photo: ANSWER Indiana in one of several anti-war protests we organized in early January 2020 after Trump assassinated Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. Credit: Indianapolis Liberation Center.
