After World War II, the Nuremberg Tribunal determined that the paramount war crime was starting a war for any reason other than self-defense.
The U.N. adopted the Nuremberg war crimes principles to be enforced by the U.N.
That U.N. authority prevails, but major powers often subvert it with their exclusive veto power.
The 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq was a war crime because it was for purposes other than self-defense and lacked U.N. approval.
The needless costs of this war were appalling, especially to our military, and it only increased terrorism and violence in the Middle East.
Now President Trump threatens an even more devastating criminal war against Iran mainly because Iran disputes Israel’s subjugation of Palestinians.
This is a policy dispute for negotiation.
By law it is not a self-defense issue justifying war.
This war is urged primarily by Israel, its powerful U.S. lobby, and Trump’s largest election donor who favors a U.S. nuclear attack on Iran.
Submissively, Trump responds with incendiary war threats, economic sanctions and assassinations against Iran.
Israel holds most of the power in its Palestinian conflict, and it is unwilling to risk peace.
The U.S. should not risk a criminal war paid for with American blood and taxes, especially one that will only further damage U.S., Israel and Middle East security.
The U.S. must end Israel’s stranglehold on U.S. foreign policy which is enforced by false charges of anti-Semitism and the wrath of the Israel lobby.
Malcolm D. McPhee
Sequim