While Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil politicians remain shamefully silent or, worse, offer tacit support, Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman has dared to call the US-Israeli attack on Iran what it is: an illegal act of war that destabilizes the entire region. But let’s be clear, this isn’t just about international law; it's about who profits while ordinary people suffer the consequences.
O’Gorman’s condemnation comes as other Green parties around the world are also speaking out. From Australia, where Greens senators have slammed their government's weak response, to the UK, where Green leader Zack Polanski is calling for an end to the ‘special relationship’ with the US, branding it a ‘rogue state’. They see what our own government conveniently ignores: this attack is a blatant violation of international law, driven by the insatiable greed of the military-industrial complex.
this attack is a blatant violation of international law, driven by the insatiable greed of the military-industrial complex.
And who benefits from this “destabilization,” as O’Gorman politely puts it? Not the Iranian people, who will undoubtedly bear the brunt of the violence. Not the Irish people, who will see further increases in fuel prices and the potential for a global economic downturn. No, the beneficiaries are the arms manufacturers, the oil companies, and the politicians who are in their pockets. They are the ones who will profit handsomely from the chaos and bloodshed.
Consider this: While O’Gorman is being attacked in right-wing media for speaking out, where are the voices of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil? Why are they so hesitant to condemn an act of aggression that flies in the face of international law? The answer, as always, lies in the deeply ingrained pro-business, pro-EU, and pro-US sentiments that permeate the Irish establishment. They are more concerned with maintaining their relationships with powerful allies than with protecting the interests of the Irish people.
Foreign Minister Michael Martin, no doubt, will offer some carefully worded statement about the need for de-escalation, carefully avoiding any direct criticism of the US or Israel. He will talk about “complex geopolitical realities” and the need for “dialogue.” But these are just empty words, designed to mask the government's complicity in this act of aggression. Their silence is a tacit endorsement, a signal that Ireland is willing to stand by and watch as the US and Israel wreak havoc on another sovereign nation. Penny Wong, the Foreign Minister of Australia, when asked if the strikes were illegal, stated, "I will leave it for the United States and Israel to speak of the legal basis for the attacks" [Source: Facebook]. This echoes the silence of Irish leadership, who would rather not upset their allies.
Let’s be clear: this attack on Iran is not about protecting democracy or promoting peace. It’s about securing access to resources, maintaining geopolitical dominance, and enriching the already wealthy. And it’s the ordinary people, both in Ireland and around the world, who will pay the price.
So, what does this mean for us? It means higher energy bills, increased risk of terrorism, and a further erosion of international law. It means that our government is willing to sacrifice our neutrality and our values for the sake of political expediency. It means that we must continue to resist, to speak out, and to demand that our leaders put the interests of the Irish people first – even if it means challenging the powerful forces that control our world.
Founder and Editor in Chief of The Irish Bugle.