Our thoughts and concerns are now with all the people in the region who are once again exposed to bombing and fear for their lives. In Iran and Israel, in Palestine, in Lebanon and Iraq, in Jordan and the Gulf states. Pro Peace partners in the region are calling for an immediate end to the attacks: This war does not serve to protect the people of Israel, nor does it serve to protect the people of Iran, write our partners in the Standing Together movement in Israel.
Our solidarity goes out to the people of Iran who are protesting against a criminal and inhumane regime for a life in freedom. However, there are doubts that this regime can be brought down with American and Israeli bombs. The history of US-led military regime change in the region, whether in Afghanistan or Iraq, has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and has not brought the people either peace nor freedom in the long term.
The attacks by Israel and the US on Iran are a clear violation of international law, and Iran's counterstrikes on civilian targets in Israel and other countries in the region are equally illegal. The German government and the European Union have so far avoided a clear position based on international law on the military actions of Israel and the US, and are thus complicit in the ongoing erosion of international norms and rules.
War must never be a means to achieve political goals. We expect the German government to take a clear stance on this issue. In his statement on Sunday, however, the Chancellor avoided condemning the use of military force to enforce political interests. According to Merz, those who are not prepared to do so in an emergency have little political influence.
Pro Peace calls on the German government to advocate with all emphasis and clarity for an immediate end to the attacks and to condemn any form of military violence.