By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has bravely spoken out against the United States for continuing to provide financial aid to Israel in the war against Iran.

“What we witnessed was the American Empire, once again, drunk on its own power, and driving an imperialist campaign in the Middle East.” NUMSA said in a media statement on Monday. NUMSA has come to the defence of Iran who have repeatedly stated that its Nuclear programme, which Israel claims is to start a nuclear war, is merely used for peaceful purposes which include medical and scientific research and development as well as to generate affordable electricity for its citizens.

According to The U.S Director of Intelligence, the U.S intelligence forces found that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon, and that the nuclear weapons program has been suspended since 2003. The international Atomic Energy agency of the U.N has also been monitoring Iran and found that they were not developing a weapons program.

During the Bush administration of 2002, Benjamin Netanyahu had prompted the U.S to attack Iraq because of false claims that they were building weapons of mass destruction, causing the country to be destabilized since they were attacked. Iran has acted in retaliation by sending missiles into Israel as they are claiming self-defense against Israel. The initial attack on Iran was backed by the United States government which had delivered 300 hellfire missiles in order to support Israel’s attack on Iran, with technology that was able to counter Iranian attacks.

There has been a ceasefire which was negotiated by United States President Donald Trump, however due to Israel’s history of breaching ceasefire negotiations as they did with Gaza earlier this year, there is a sense that Israel may not uphold this agreement and may continue to strike upon Iran. This call for a ceasefire by America is viewed as hypocritical by NUMSA considering that the United States are directly involved in funding these attacks.

“It is important to note that because the U.S is directly involved in the war by providing military support to Israel, it is nonsensical to view their role as ‘Peacemaker’ when they are directly involved in fuelling and funding Israel’s aggression in the region.” added NUMSA via their Press Statement.

NUMSA has also stated that they stand firm against Israel and fully stand behind the nation of Iran, and has denounced the imperialism and oppression perpetrated by Israel as well as condemn the United States for their continued support of Israel. Israel also continues its two year long attack on the Gaza strip.

“They are being allowed to destabilize an entire region, and that also includes violating the principles of peace, human rights and self-determination…Israel has completely destabilized the Middle East by launching wars against Syria, Yemen, Iran and Lebanon and it has been systematically wiping out Palestinian people through a genocide in Gaza and the West Bank.” said NUMSA in their Press statement.