En Passant

Richard Seymour in Salvage asks the question ‘What is your solution, then? Or, to put it another way, what if there is no solution to the Daesh massacres?’ Part of his conclusion is that ‘the unwelcome thought begins to insinuate itself — we are going to live in a world with Daesh and its massacres no matter what we do.’

Wrapped in the Australian flag, chanting Aussie Aussie Aussie, oi, oi, oi and sprouting hateful lies and abuse against Muslims and anti-fascists and anti-racists like me, and wanting to undertake physical action against its perceived enemies, these white nationalist Reclaim Australia people, mainly alienated middle aged and young men, are a potential lumpen proletariat wing of fascism. It made me realise why some alienated young men might also join or support Reclaim’s alter ego and mirror image, ISIS.

Invading Iraq and killing up to 1.5 m Iraqis was, as we pointed out in our demonstrations against the Iraq War in 2003, always going to produce a backlash. It has, and this mirror of Western barbarity called ISIS is now wreaking some destruction in the West, although its main victims remain Muslims in Iraq and Syria. Far from being condemned, the Grand Mufti of Australia deserves our support for pointing out some of the Western drivers behind these terrorist attacks. More of the same – bombings, racism, xenophobia, locking up people without evidence, closing the borders – will only strengthen support for ISIS.

John Mullen in Paris has written a heartfelt note about the bombings, the anti-democratic and brutal nature of the French State, the real risks of a racist and fascist backlash and the need for the left to unite to fight Islamophobia. Click ‘Paris three days after the attacks: State of emergency, profiteers and confusions’ to read the whole article on John’s blog.

I have read a few letter in newspapers recently drawing reactionary conclusions from the terrorist attacks in France. These include one which said if there were a terrorist attack in Australia it would be the fault of all we bleeding hearts. Here is my response to this drivel.

Nick Riemer in France writes about the terrorist attacks and the ruling class’s warmongering response in socialist magazine Solidarity. Among other things he says:

‘The opportunism of France’s political leadership will be paid for in more tragic and avoidable blood-baths, whether in France or in Raqqa. As a worshipper at a northern Paris mosque told Libération, “If we consider ourselves as at war, then the terrorists will have won their battle”. The three mainstream parties have no interest in that lesson: ordinary people’s interests do not figure in their calculations. A new French war on terror won’t bring peace; it will only reinforce the power of the political establishment.

‘Everyone else’s interests can only be safeguarded by a progressive and democratic movement from below. The radical, anti-capitalist left has a heavy responsibility, both in France and outside it.’

To read the whole article click here.

Julien Salingue lives in Paris and is a leading member of the New Anti-capitalist Party in France. He is a long-time Palestine solidarity activist and the author of La Palestine d’Oslo. He wrote the following comments after coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13 that left at least 129 dead and 352 injured. The article was first published at Resisteralairdutemps.blogspot.fr. It was translated by Todd Chretien and published in Socialist Worker US.

Fight for another world, a world that is not only possible, but more necessary than ever. Keep our heads and don’t give in to emotional pressure and shock. You may accuse me of being a dreamer. But my dreams never killed anyone in contrast to your “pragmatism.” More than ever, we must “resist the irresistible.” That’s the only way to move ahead. So…No, Cambadélis. No, Sarkozy. No, Hollande. “We” are not at war. It is not my war, it is not our war. It is your war. And once more, they are our dead. Just like Madrid in 2004, London in 2005, Egypt two weeks ago, Beirut this week. And everywhere else you sow your terror. Your wars, our dead. Your war, no more.