Belfast Gathering Denounces US-Israeli Military Strikes on Iran as Anti-Democratic
A significant gathering at Belfast City Hall on Monday evening has issued a forceful condemnation of the recent United States and Israel-led military assault on Iran. The emergency rally, organised under the banner "Stop Bombing Iran," saw multiple speakers decry the attacks which resulted in the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and prompted retaliatory strikes from Tehran and its allies against Israel and neighbouring Gulf states.
Political Leaders and Activists Voice Outrage
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll, a central figure at the event, delivered a scathing critique of the military action, describing it as fundamentally anti-democratic. "People in Iran are being blown to bits, and at least 160 children killed – in my eyes, in most people’s eyes across the world, that is not democracy, human rights and dignity, and we’re here to stand against that clearly and loudly," Mr Carroll stated emphatically.
He extended his condemnation to several Western governments, accusing them of exacerbating the conflict. "We are also here today to call out the disgraceful role of the French, the German and the British governments, shame on them," Carroll declared. "Rather than calling out (US President Donald) Trump and the gangster thuggery that he’s about, pour more petrol on to the fire, ramping up tensions and keeping the war narrative going. Shame on them."
Criticism of International Leadership
Carroll further criticised a broad spectrum of political leaders for their perceived complicity. "Shame on (Benjamin) Netanyahu and Trump for their warmongering, but also shame on (Sir Keir) Starmer, (Emmanuel) Macron and all those European leaders who don’t give a damn about democracy, human rights or how many dead bodies are piled up in the Middle East," he asserted.
He emphasised the principle of self-determination, arguing that genuine liberation cannot be achieved through external military intervention. "It’s up to the people of Iran to decide their government and protest against this government, you cannot have liberation delivered through bombs delivered by the Americans… we’re for self-determination but it cannot happen when people are being bombed from the sky."
Personal Testimony from Iranian Academic
Academic Azadeh Sobout, originally from Iran, provided a poignant personal perspective, holding a banner that read "Begin your regime change at home." She expressed gratitude to attendees while detailing the devastating human cost of the attacks. "In just 24 hours, over 1,200 bombs were dropped on Iran killing more than 550 people and wounding hundreds more," Sobout revealed.
"Tehran, the city I come from, has been bombed more than 400 times just today. Hospitals have been hit, schools have been hit, families are burying their dead. This comes as south Lebanon is bombarded relentlessly, and genocide in Gaza continues under the illusion of ceasefire," she continued, linking the assault to broader regional conflicts.
Rejection of False Dichotomies
Sobout articulated a powerful rejection of the limited political choices presented to Iranians. "I stand before you as an Iranian woman, one who opposes the man who rules my country now, and the man who ruled it before, the current theocratic that massacred thousands of protesters last January," she stated.
"We are constantly told we must choose between a dictator and a bombing campaign, choose between repression and destruction, choose between submission and annihilation. This is coercive, and it erases our political agency, it assumes that Iranians cannot imagine or build a future beyond the options imposed on us by empires and dictators."
Counter-Protests and Context
The rally was not without opposition. A number of counter-protesters from Iran staged a demonstration nearby in direct opposition to the event, highlighting the complex and divided perspectives within the Iranian diaspora. This followed a separate gathering at Belfast City Hall on Sunday, where some Iranians celebrated the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with chants of "Thank you Mr Trump and Netanyahu," underscoring the deep political fissures surrounding the conflict.
The Belfast event serves as a vivid example of how international conflicts resonate within local communities, sparking debate and activism far from the immediate theatre of war. The condemnation from Northern Irish political figures and activists adds a distinct voice to the global discourse on the ethics and consequences of military intervention in the Middle East.
