I was a little distracted yesterday and did not have time to comment on what was going on in Iran and the broader Middle Eastern region.
Let's be clear, I have no love for the Iranian regime. I recognise that its theocratic rule has been deeply oppressive for many.
At the same time, there is not a shadow of doubt that the attacks by Israel and the USA on Iran with the intention of killing its leader, but as a result of which many innocent people have already died, are completely illegal in international law.
There was no requirement in self-defence for either country to act as they did yesterday.
There is no evidence whatsoever that Iran has a nuclear weapons programme capable of being used against Israel. Netanyahu has been claiming its existence since the 1990s. So far, there is no sign that it does.
As a consequence, there is no legal basis for the UK's active support for this illegal war. Yet again, Keir Starmer is committing a war crime.
So why is this happening?
Firstly, Netanyahu needs a war to keep him out of prison. He faces elections this year. He will be on trial if he loses.
Second, Donald Trump needs a war. He is desperate to distract attention from the Epstein files.
Third, Starmer needs a war. Mandelson, Josh Simons, the appointment of wholly inappropriate people to the House of Lords, the Gorton and Denton by-election, and Starmer's resulting claims that the Greens are extremists within the UK, and so much more, mean that he wishes the world would not notice everything that he has got wrong.
What do these three men share in common? A dedication to corrupt Zionism.
Corrupt Zionism supports a government that pursues illegal wars from Israel.
Corrupt Zionism thousands shame the Jewish people, many of whom hate it, meaning that to criticise this form of Zionism is not, in any way, antisemitic.
Corrupt Zionism literally corrupts.
It has corrupted the politics of Israel.
It has corrupted the politics of the Labour Party here in the UK.
As a consequence, it has corrupted the UK's politics as a whole.
It is doing the same in the USA, where Trump is now such a long way from his electoral base, in no small part because of his support for corrupt Zionism.
This far-right, fascist adjacent, genocide pursuing, illegal-war-promoting, toxic form of politics (and do not pretend that it is anything but politics) is undoubtedly the biggest threat to international stability at present.
I am not saying that there aren't other forms of threat.
I am not denying that there are threats from Islamic extremists.
I am not denying that there are other forms of corrupt politics.
What I am saying is the biggest threat we face.
It is bringing politics into disrepute in Israel, the UK and far beyond because this corrupt form of Zionism demands adherence from its followers to a totally false conception of what Israel should be and how it should coexist with its neighbours.
There is only one thing to do with corrupt Zionism now. That is to call it out, and then be rid of its pernicious impact on the British political environment, promoted above all else by the Labour party, but also, because of its alignment on issues auch as supposed support for religious family values amongst those who see its supporters as mainly white, amongst other parties of the British right and far right including the Tories and Reform.
These are the extremists that we face.
These are the people who believe that political executions are acceptable.
These are the people who believe that an illegal war can be justified by their fanaticism.
These are the people who believe that the schoolgirls killed in Tehran yesterday are acceptable collateral damage for their ambitions.
These are the people who will make us the targets of Iranian self-defence.
These are the people we need to worry about.
These are the people who are bringing us low.
They do not care.
They do, instead, hate.
Hate has never been the foundation of successful politics. It is, and never can be, the foundation of a successful life. That is why we need to be rid of this toxic politics, and whilst our country is associated with it, we need to hang our heads in shame.
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Thank you and well said, Richard.
The community may want to know of the petition to investigate Israeli influence in British politics. It’s been a slow process to get to 100,000 signatories. I reckon one reason is that signatories may be victimised.
The petition has now reached the 100,000 milestone which means that it must be debated in Parliament, though, health warning, these debates are often a sham. However, if anyone wants to sign you can do do here https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/752646
Signed!
I signed it some days ago.
One aspect which gets little attention is the affect , due to our toleration of genocide, on this country’s credibility in the developing world. Of course, we are not alone but our future will be much better if we can cooperate with the Global South.
[…] the party. Simons has supported Zionism, as do most in the current Labour leadership, with all its toxic consequences. Simons was intent on undermining democracy. Simons do not give a damn about ethics. Nor did […]
What stands out of that this looks like a Zionist plan where the key cost and risk lies with the US.
Given rumours that Epstein might have been a Mossad asset, one obvious question that I haven’t seen raised is whether this situation is suggestive suggestive of Mossad having compromising materials about Trump.
After all, that would not sway Congress, but it would make Trump willing to abandon being the Peace President, international law and literally anything else required to protect himself, including putting US soldiers in the front line. The timing relative to Epstein files scrutiny would fit, too.
I’m not ruling out it being the impulsive actions of a narcissist with dementia, or if someone who regards himself as emperor of the world (no longer even a king), but it should be asked what hold Netenyahu has over Trump.
There are many points I might make but………
Israel is to perhaps a lesser degree than in the past surrounded by states that dont like it very much and where the factors that cause them not to like it are not going to change any time soon.
Now while it cant change the demographics of the adjoining states it can at worst decide not to do things that might wind its neighbours up the wrong way and at best try and be a good neighbour.
An obvious example might be how relationships between Greece and Turkey changed after one of them sent rescue teams after an earthquake to the other.
Instead its a sore Israel has to pick and not only is it winding its neighbours up but losing support in the nations who might guarantee its survival if the proverbial were ever to hit the fan.
Radio Silence from captured media and politicians on UK &!US role in destabilising of Iran leading to decades of terror.
As discussed yesterday in the electric FtF conference, regimes who try to work for the people are destabilised. (Thanks to the team)
Let’s tell the story
United Kingdom, in conjunction with the United States, played a leading role in destabilizing and overthrowing Iran’s democratically elected government in 1953. MI6 (British Intelligence) and the CIA orchestrated “Operation Boot” (also known as Operation Ajax) to remove Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddeq, who had nationalized the British-controlled oil industry.
Key details regarding the UK’s role in the 1953 coup:
Motivation: The primary trigger was Prime Minister Mosaddeq’s 1951 nationalization of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (now BP), which halted the UK’s, control over Iranian oil resources.
Methods: British intelligence agents and the CIA engaged in covert activities, including bribery of politicians, journalists, and street gangs, to create public unrest and undermine Mosaddeq’s government.
Outcome: The coup successfully toppled the government, returned autocratic power to Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and established a repressive regime, which ultimately fueled the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Acknowledgment: The role of British intelligence in the coup has been acknowledged by historians and in declassified documents.
This intervention is viewed as a turning point that destroyed a promising democratic model in the region, replacing it with a dictatorship that was heavily influenced by Western interests until its collapse in 1979
Electric? Wow..
Thanks you
It was good to meet you
And thanks for this comment
There is also very little/none in the news about the role of US current economic strangulation of Iran. Just like it has been doing in Venezuela and for the last 60 years or so, Cuba. I’m not quite sure how it does this… Richard, you may be able to fill us in on the details of US economic strangulation tactics to achieve regime change.
I talked about this yesterday…
Fun Fact: the CIA leader in the 1952coup was a Roosevelt. Kermit Roosevelt. Reminds me of Sesame Street.
It’s very likely now that the American mid terms will be cancelled, delayed or interfered with in some way. Trump is increasingly a prisoner of power, he needs to be in power or he faces jail, just like Netanyau. We know that war is both men’s chosen distraction. Perhaps anti war demonstrators will be classed as enemies of the State? A state of emergency declared under the pretence of imminent attack? The Trump administration has told us repeatedly who they are, at this point we need to believe them.
Your analysis of the legal and political motivations behind the recent escalation is both timely and necessary. It’s concerning how easily powerful narratives are shaped by self-interest—whether it’s Netanyahu’s political survival, Trump’s distraction tactics, or Starmer’s attempt to shift focus from his own missteps. The lack of credible evidence for Iran’s nuclear program undermines the justification for military action, and your point about the UK’s complicity rings true. This kind of clarity is vital in holding leaders accountable.
“(and do not pretend that it is anything about politics)”
Did you omit a word in this sentence: “not”??? “but” ???
and do not pretend that it is anything “but” politics
or
and do not pretend that it is “not” anything about politics
Thanks. Corrected. Team Murphy was very tired this morning. I have just taken a very long snooze.
Detestable events in Iran.
We are making an enemy of our future, yet again.
The politics of care it seems can only be forged from these events – that is how we must see it – bravely.
Thank you for another great post Richard, I agree with every word and Starmer and the Labour Party’s making the UK complicit with Israel and the USA is not being said nearly enough.
The UK constitution allows corrupt Zionism to fund political parties, and factions within political parties or individual politicians – so long as it is ‘declared’ . Surely this has to be made illegal – along with all other corrupt practices such as 2nd jobs, bribes for honours, politicians lobbying, revolving doors etc.
The Greens ought to campaign for it – no other party will – it’s now so embedded . It is the melange of insider contacts and big money – which fuels the political system . It was how Mandelson made himself a few millions as he was also fawning to get more from the Epsteins of this world.
Its a simple idea – banning money from politics – but it’s hardly ever discussed. I wonder why?
I agree with you: it should be banned.
Thanks for an excellent post, though your qualifier “corrupt” before zionism is in my opinion unnecessary. It implies that there is a form of zionism which is not based on notions of superiority that inevitably lead to an apartheid state.
From its inception in the late 19th century, zionism accepted that the establishment of a Jewish state would involve the removal of the previous inhabitants of Palestine. The formation of the state of Israel coincided with the violent eviction of many thousands of Palestinians in what is referred to as the Nakba, or catastrophe. This ongoing Nakba has increased in intensity over my entire lifetime (I’m an oldie) until it culminated in genocide, which is also ongoing.
The position of western leaders on this, especially our own Prime Minister’s, is evidence of the breakdown of International Law. The domination that Israel exerts over Starmer, Trump and all the others has made it possible for them to attack the seventh country on its list for destabilisation, with the outcry from our leaders confined to condemning Iran’s unsurprising retaliation against Israel and the states surrounding Iran that are host to American bases.
There are only a few brave countries opposing the worldwide anarchy that is unfolding. Spain, Ireland and South Africa have taken a stand, with Norway, formerly a great friend of Israel, seemingly about to do the same. Trump’s Board of Peace would seem to be posing a takeover of the role of the UN. Without strong opposition to Trump, and support of the UN from the majority of nations that have not signed up to this gimcrack endeavour, I do not see much prospect of the world order that emerged from two world wars surviving. Time for World War III?
You are right. There are countries who have seen what is required, and say the right thing. I am pleased that Ireland is one of them, but then they know what oppression looks like.
In addition, not only is Zionism corrupt, it is also vengeful I’m afraid and should have no place in a peaceful world. The whole thing seems to be based on one big grievance located in exceptionalism.
Thanks again to you and your team for your x-ray vision and presentation!
Might the attached article about the Iran and U .S. A talks, which mediators described as the most serious and constructive in years, be of interest/relevance?
https://www.counterpunch.org/2026/02/27/iran-was-attacked-by-the-us-and-israel-when-peace-was-within-reach/