The Left condemns the illegal aggression of the United States and Israel as the EU simply refuses to offer any condemnation of the bombing all while claiming that they protect the rule of law. 

The attack on Iran and the continuing genocide in Gaza falls on the backdrop of an internal review of the EU-Israel agreement led by the EU’s diplomatic service, the European External Action Service that found “indication of a breach” of the human rights commitments. It appears there is always one rule for the powerful and one rule for everyone else. There is no military solution to this conflict, and amidst the EU’s complicity, the Left calls for an immediate shift from bombs to diplomacy and an end to the genocide in Gaza.

Manon Aubry, Co-chair of the Left in the European Parliament said “Trump has joined Netanyahu in bombing Iran; another a clear breach of international law. A military solution does not exist, armed escalation will only continue to plunge the region into chaos and murderous madness. The EU must condemn these strikes and take action to ensure that all parties are brought back to the table for a peaceful and diplomatic solution.”

Martin Schirdewan, Co-chair of the Left in the European Parliament said “The US attacks are a clear violation of international law and underscore that Trump’s goals differ from those of the EU. To prevent the situation from escalating further and a regional conflagration from breaking out, the EU should act as a mediating diplomat. The EU stands on the side of the Iranian democratic opposition the women’s movement and all who suffer under this war, not the mullahs. The consequences of a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz are not yet foreseeable and will have direct repercussions for industry and the economy. The EU should speak with one voice to be perceived as an independent actor.”

Left MEP Hanna Gedin (Vänsterpartiet, Sweden): The U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran is an obvious violation of international law that will further deteriorate the situation in the Middle East and lead to catastrophic consequences for the civilian population in the region. The EU has both the mandate and the responsibility to put pressure on the warring parties to de-escalate the conflict and exercise restraint. The message must be clear: There will be no seat at the table for bullies and war criminals. No state is above international law.

Left MEP Marc Botenga (PTB, Belgium): “After twenty months of unconditional U.S. military support for the Israeli genocide in Palestine, the United States now bombed Iran. The U.S. is using the exact same rhetoric it used against Iraq in 2003. “weapons of mass destruction”, “freedom”… Lies, one after another. Israeli rockets kill Iranian children, hit Iranian hospitals and ambulances. Trump is bombing nuclear facilities—a war crime that could cause horrific catastrophes. That’s precisely why it is strictly prohibited under international law. Yet the EU has not only failed to condemn, but even justified these illegal attacks. The hypocrisy is unbelievable. The only nuclear-armed power in the region is Israel—a country that has not signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty and refuses any inspections by international bodies. Israel, the country committing genocide against the people of Gaza, bombing Lebanon and Yemen, and occupying part of Syria. European leaders undermine international law and creates a more dangerous world for all. We need sanctions on Israel. Stop the war.”

Left MEP Irene Montero (Podemos, Spain) said “The only reason that the US can attack Iran illegally is because it has the EU as its ally in this aggression. The EU has not condemned this illegal act that violates international law. The war propaganda of Iran having a nuclear bomb is false- the only two that possess nuclear weapons in this conflict are Israel and the United States. This propaganda is reminiscent of the lie that formed the basis for the invasion of Iraq. We want an end to the genocide in Gaza and end to the illegal aggression targeting Iran.”

Left MEP Kostas Arvanitis (Syriza, Greece): “The Left and the progressive forces must remain united and take decisive action against this blatant and unprovoked attack. Global peace movements and diplomacy is more necessary than ever. The leadership of the EU remains speechless and powerless, acting as little more than a franchise of the hawks in the American Pentagon. International law has been completely disregarded. Permanent members of the Security Council cannot act criminally and violently by drawing new borders. The rights of the weakest states cannot be ignored and the UN must guarantee their protection.”