We Must End this Bloody War

We abhor the actions of Hezbollah in firing rockets into Israel – actions that break Article 3 of the Geneva Convention, taunt Israel into response by deliberately inflaming the situation, and that kill innocent children. But Israeli attacks on the Lebanon are not only disproportionate – they are incomparable. Firing inaccurate missiles towards cities is one thing, one of the world’s best-equipped armed forces deliberately targeting civilian convoys, red crescent ambulances and UN observation posts is a declaration of war against the civilised world, and demands a robust response from the international community, firstly in calling for an end to the attacks, secondly in imposing sanctions against the aggressor, and thirdly in deploying a peace-enforcement operation.

 
The United States has as close a military relationship with the Israeli military as Iran and Syria has with Hezbollah. The US is as responsible for the actions of Israel as Iran and Syria are for those of Hezbollah. The US provides around $3bn to Israel annually in military aid and equipment. Deliveries of guided missiles have been increased in this war… the United States, and the British government have taken sides in this war, and have no place in arbitrating any solution.

 
There is a strong suspicion that the US is also seeking to draw Iran into this conflict, in order to attack what neo-conservatives see as the biggest enemy to US influence in the region. This must not be allowed to happen.

 
The War on Terror is simply another name for state-sponsored terrorism. Fundamentally the root cause of the current crisis lies in the early resort to force, and the illusion that military action can provide solutions. Instead, indiscriminate bombing, shock and awe simply shocks and angers, multiplying the resentment and the recruits for violence and terror.

The Green Party demands

An immediate, unconditional ceasefire
Both sides must stop their aggressive, immoral and illegal attacks on civilians.
International unity behind this call
We are shocked by the duplicity of Tony Blair in blocking a UN resolution. His statements clearly take the Israeli side in its attempts to destroy Hezbollah, and implicates the UK in these Israeli war crimes.
An arms embargo
The situation demands an international arms embargo on both sides of all equipment and components used for waging aggressive war, in particular rockets, strike aircraft, missiles and tanks.
The deployment of an international peace force
The international community must reach agreement to deploy an international peace force with a robust mandate to stop aggressive attacks on civilians on both sides of the border.
The establishment of a Peace Conference
An extended conference involving all states in the region and those with influence outside it, to achieve recognition of boundaries, a true two-state solution, human rights and security guarantees for all peoples and states, and the ending of all occupation.
An end to the War on Terror
While the Green Party believes in the right to self defence, it is opposes responding to violence with aggressive violence. The War on Terror – a means to justify aggressive actions across the world, must end here and now. Solutions can only come through negotiation.