Stop the War coalition Newsletter, 31/07/26
Posted: 2nd August 2026
Newsletter 31/07/26
The US president’s erratic behaviour along with the widening of the war is extremely concerning and an incredibly dangerous development. As Trump hits Iran hard, is the period of restraint over?
Join us and CND for an online public meeting to discuss how the anti-war movement should respond to this fast changing situation.
After two weeks of bombing a fragile ‘pause’ in hostilities was announced only to be broken a short while later when the US struck dozens of targets in Iran on Wednesday night, killing three people in a residential building. In retaliation Iran has targeted US military facilities in Kuwait. Iran has said they will no longer allow the US to dictate when to pause and when to start the war.
This latest phase in the war has seen the conflict expand in the region with joint US-Saudi strikes in Iraq and the Saudis announcing a new offensive against the Houthis in Yemen. There is also concern that President Zelenskyy is attempting to merge the US-Iran conflict with the war in Ukraine into a single strategic theatre.
You can read about the background to and details of the meeting here.
A US B-1 bomber flew from RAF Fairford to bomb Iran the day after Andy Burnham became prime minister. The majority of us don’t want British bases used in this illegal war. Join us at RAF Fairford on 15 August to call on Burnham to send the US bombers home for good!
Now is the time for the new Burnham government to cut support for Trump’s wars and profoundly reassess the UK’s diplomatic and economic priorities.
Join the Fairford protest on 15 August. Coach details here.
March for Palestine – 3 Years of Genocide
Meanwhile in Gaza, Trump has announced an agreement with Hamas, but as with all such announcements the devil is in the detail. It depends on the approval of Israel, which remains silent. For the deal to come into force Israeli troops must withdraw from Gaza and Israeli-backed militias be disbanded. But just moments after Trump’s announcement there was an Israeli airstrike on Gaza, while the brutal Israeli raids in the West Bank continue.
It’s time to build 10 October. This demonstration is part of a global day of protest in support of Palestine. Make sure you are part of it.
Andy Burnham has made it clear he is not about to deviate from Starmer’s shameful foreign policy, so we must continue to protest and demonstrate for a free Palestine and for the British government to stop arming Israel.
Book your coaches, organise a street stall, save the date.
Following the international conference we are pushing to increase the trade union presence and support for 10 October. Make sure you get your branch to pass our trade union model resolution which commits to building the international days of action, including the 10 October demonstration. And bring your trade union banner on the day.
Tell the world opposing war is a trade union issue.
With the new Labour leadership continuing massive increases in military spending we must ratchet up our campaign for the government to cut war not welfare. Please sign our petition and also print it out to use at petitioning sessions in your towns and communities.
August Membership Sale
For one month only you can become a Stop the War member for a year for just £25. You will receive a free set of Stop the War badges with your year’s membership. The offer will only last until the end of August so take advantage and do your bit to help end the addiction to war.
This week’s anti-war briefing
