Australian Rights Activist Raps Western Silence on Israeli War against Iran – Interview news

In an interview with Tasnim, Yahya Al-Hadid, the head of the (Persian) Gulf Institute for Democracy and Human Rights in Australia, said the Zionist regime seeks to eliminate any potential threat to its existence and therefore resorts to brutal killings of civilians, women, and children.

What follows is the text of his interview:

Tasnim: A few days ago, the world witnessed Israel’s overt aggression against Iran and its people. In your opinion, why does this regime commit such atrocities against defenseless civilians in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran? What motivates them to persist in these attacks, including assassinations?

Al-Hadid: The doctrine of the Zionist regime is essentially centered around “security first.” As an occupying entity with no real roots or belonging in the region, it constantly feels existentially threatened. This terrorist regime relies on a policy of brute force and seeks to destroy any potential threat. That’s why we see its insistence on killing civilians and the brutal murder of children and women. Israel recognizes no law or international norm –its only logic is power, backed by the West and the United States. This has led to horrific crimes in Palestine –especially in Gaza– as well as in Lebanon, Yemen, and most recently Iran. In the absence of any meaningful deterrence from the global community, these atrocities against innocent people continue unabated.

Tasnim: The Zionist regime claims its goal is to stop Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. Yet it blatantly targets hospitals, infrastructure, and media institutions, where women and children make up a large portion of the casualties. How do you explain this contradiction? In other words, what is the real objective behind these aggressive and inhumane actions?

Al-Hadid: First of all, the occupying regime has no right to speak about Iran’s nuclear or missile programs. It possesses a secret nuclear arsenal with over 200 warheads and is not subject to international oversight. Secondly, the regime has adopted a policy of destruction and genocide. It deliberately targets civilian institutions protected under international law, such as educational and healthcare facilities (hospitals), religious sites, and other urban infrastructure. It also directly attacks medical personnel and civilians.

In every war, the Zionist regime has ignored these laws and has deliberately targeted hospitals to inflict maximum civilian casualties. These acts are war crimes and are prosecutable under international law. In Gaza, many medical workers and emergency responders have been killed while performing their duties, and all hospitals have been destroyed. This scenario has been repeated elsewhere, with hospitals, rescue teams, and humanitarian organizations being targeted.

The attack on Iran’s national media organization, which resulted in the martyrdom of journalists and media staff, was a grave crime that occurred live before the eyes of the world. Israel deliberately targets civilians and humanitarian or medical personnel –an act explicitly defined as a war crime under Articles 19 and 24 of the Geneva Conventions.

Tasnim: The UN and many human rights organizations have documented Israel’s war crimes, yet Western governments continue to provide it with military and political support. Why do you think Western countries generally remain silent in the face of these crimes?

Al-Hadid: Unfortunately, Western countries have a clear double standard regarding the crimes of the occupying Zionist regime. Even though international organizations document the crimes against civilians, Western countries do nothing. Even worse, they support Israel in international forums and veto any condemnation in the UN Security Council.

These Western governments, under American influence, provide full military and political backing to Israel. That’s why we see complete Western silence in the face of the genocide of Palestinians, which has so far led to the death and injury of more than 130,000 people.

Western countries fully understand that the attack by Israel and the US on the Islamic Republic of Iran violates international law –because it’s aggression against a sovereign, independent nation. Yet the global community has opted for silence and refuses to condemn this unjust war.

Tasnim: The United States routinely vetoes UN resolutions condemning Israeli war crimes. The world has seen how America has turned its back on diplomacy and chosen war. How would you describe this situation?

Al-Hadid: America’s support for the Zionist regime in international forums is not just assistance –it reflects America’s strategic interests in the region. From this perspective, Israel acts as an advanced base and the primary ally of the US in the Middle East, which explains the scale and nature of America’s unwavering support.

Recent developments –particularly the aggression against Iran– signal a fundamental shift in the geopolitical landscape. US diplomacy no longer holds the credibility it once did, especially after what many view as deceit toward Tehran. This shift has also impacted decisions at the UN, where it now appears that the US and its allies –seen as direct or indirect partners in these operations– are no longer adhering to UN resolutions.

The contradiction between calling for dialogue over Iran’s nuclear issue while simultaneously preparing for surprise military strikes severely undermines US credibility on the world stage. This policy not only destroys trust among adversaries but also alarms allies and partners, making them question whether Washington is a reliable partner. Some view this approach as indicative of a rogue state that disregards diplomatic norms. In fact, one could say that political deception and diplomatic dishonesty have been defining features of many US administrations in their regional and international dealings.

Tasnim: In your view, what is the ultimate goal of the Zionist regime’s militaristic and expansionist policies? What threats do these policies pose to the regime’s neighbors in the Middle East?

Al-Hadid: The strategy of the occupying regime rests on three main pillars:

1. Territorial expansion

2. Imposing hegemony

3. Extorting continuous support from Western powers to guarantee unconditional backing

After the events of October 7, the leadership of the Zionist regime under Netanyahu made a strategic decision aimed at redrawing the map of the Middle East based on the following pillars:

• Total destruction of Gaza and forced displacement: The primary goal is to destroy Gaza completely and forcibly relocate its residents to Egypt and Jordan, thereby enabling full Israeli control over the region.

• War in the West Bank and expulsion of Palestinians: The regime seeks to push Palestinians from the West Bank into Jordan, effectively depopulating Palestine of its original inhabitants and transforming it into a fully Jewish entity.

• War with Lebanon and confrontation with Hezbollah: Israel intended to annex southern Lebanon and dominate the country, but Hezbollah’s resistance thwarted that ambition.

• Project in Syria: The regime had a plan to topple the Syrian government and install Abu Mohammad al-Julani (leader of a terrorist group) in power. Afterward, we witnessed Israel’s growing military presence in Syria, including the occupation of parts of rural Damascus, Mount Hermon, and Daraa.

Israel has a broader plan to dominate Syria and impose its hegemony through normalization efforts. It also intends to establish a Druze state under Zionist control and a Kurdish state –creating vulnerabilities for Iraq and Turkey– thus ensuring total control by the US and Israel over the levers of power in the Middle East.