The Young European Federalists (JEF) Europe oppose the latest multiside escalation in the Middle East and Persian Gulf, which has severe consequences for the region’s and world’s stability, including human rights, economics, and especially young people.

Following the nationwide demonstrations in Iran that began as peaceful expressions of social and economic frustration have evolved into broader demands for fundamental rights, dignity, and freedom, the Iranian regime responded ruthlessly, murdering thousands of innocent people and imposing an internet shutdown to cover its crimes. In response, the United States and Israel have unilaterally and illegally embarked on an air bombing campaign against Iran. The Iranian regime retaliated by attacking military and civil targets in more than 10 countries, including an EU member state – Cyprus. Furthermore, Israel has sent troops to the south of Lebanon, claiming the necessity to fight Hezbollah groups. We are concerned about a large-scale Israeli ground invasion followed by occupation. Already now, thousands of civilians are forced to flee their homes and a humanitarian catastrophe is imminent. In all this, the EU failed to formulate a united position, remaining a bystander in the face of a dangerous escalation. 

JEF Europe continues to stand in unwavering solidarity with the people of Iran and all those suffering the violence of war. We therefore call on the European countries and the European Union to:

• Increase the diplomatic, economic, and legal pressure against the Iranian regime, including the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij militias, as well as their proxies, responsible for most of the repression;
• Provide humanitarian and material support to the Iranian people as needed, as well as help in reconstruction and capacity building in case of a change in the regime;
• Make all possible efforts to lead to an immediate cessation of conflict from all sides to the war, especially working to end attacks on oil and energy installations, which cause immeasurable environmental and economic damage to the world as a whole;
• Recognise that there are diverse opinions both among the people of Iran, as well as Iranian opposition and diaspora, regarding the war, and respecting the various good faith positions rooted in concern for the well being of the Iranian people;
• Honour its treaty commitments to Cyprus, providing military assistance as needed to defend the EU from the Iranian threat;
• Take a bolder stance on countering coercion from the US, such as in the case of Spain to change its position on the war;
• Demand a clear pan-European position and action on the conflict, rooted in human rights and international law;
• Reiterates that a more federal and effective European Union foreign policy, capable of acting coherently beyond unanimity and national vetoes is needed to make the European position effective and able to impact world events. 

The latest escalation exposes the failure of an international system that repeatedly condemns abuses but lacks the authority to prevent them, opening the door to unilateral and dangerous actions by nation states, often disregarding the will and interests of the citizens themselves. 

In order to move beyond ‘thoughts and prayers’ and expressions of concerns, Europe must stop being a bystander. Only a federal Europe and reformed global institutions can effectively counter malicious actors, stopping the slide into a state of constant conflict and oppression.  

For Freedom! برای آزادی!

 

See our related resolution here. For questions on this, reach out to Dvir.