“When will we learn from our mistakes and realise that war is not the answer?”
Jeremy Corbyn
By Matt Willgress, Arise – A Festival of Left Ideas.
Britain taking military action in Yemen at the behest of the US and Israel – and without any parliamentary approval or discussion – has been immediately and widely opposed across the labour movement and beyond.
As campaigning journalist Rachel Shabi put it, “We’ve had months of British public support for a ceasefire, to stop the unbearable atrocities Israel is inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza. Then overnight, Britain bombs Yemen with scant discussion or consent. Everything about this is so broken.”
Former Labour leader and popular leader of the peace and anti-war movements for decades Jeremy Corbyn warned that “Military action in Yemen by the UK & US government is a reckless act of escalation that will only cause more death and suffering,” and concluded “When will we learn from our mistakes and realise that war is not the answer?”
His points were reinforced by Diane Abbott, who said “When the Tories should backing a ceasefire in Gaza instead they send jet fighters to back the US against the Houthis. No parliamentary approval and no idea where it will all end.”
John McDonnell said that “If we have learnt anything in recent years it’s that military intervention in the Middle East always has dangerous & often unforeseen consequences. There is a risk of setting the region alight.”
And as the Stop the War Coalition put it, “We need de-escalation, not the opening up of new fronts of war.”
When it became clear that Parliament would not be consulted on this action a number of MPs including Jon Trickett also raised the democratic deficit, with Zarah Sultana pointing out that “Democratic accountability demands that MPs have a say.”
We agree with Chris Nineham, “If you weren’t planning to march Saturday, you better be now.”
- The National March for Palestine assembles at Bank Junction, London, EC3V 3LA, 12PM on Saturday 13th January.
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