When I swore an oath to enlist in the military, one important statement I’m to uphold is the “… I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

Last time I checked, all other military members, federal officials, the legislature and the president also swear an oath including this statement. We are all duty bound to uphold this legal framework per our Constitution.

So here we are, our military has just carried out a bombardment campaign against Iran. Without an official declaration of war by Congress, this unconstitutional attack violates the laws of our land, the self-respect of United States citizens and the dignity of Iranians. It was an unprovoked, pre-emptive strike. If nuclear weapons were imminently a threat to U.S. citizens at home or aboard, then the declaration of war by Congress should be passed.

They don’t because it’s an outright lie. Some of the same monsters that told us lies in 2002 to promote war and destroy Iraq are now gleefully celebrating these U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran. This will escalate. War is always waged against the people of that nation. How is Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, etc. doing today after our interventions? How many millions have been killed in our Global War on Terror? 4.5 to 4.7 million is the current estimation.

Today, the U.S. government is partner to the Israeli government’s genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. While the media switches to L.A., Iran and other subjects, the Palestinians are being slaughtered openly, explicitly, without justification or pretense. How many more men, women and children must die before this ends?

Israelis cannot do this on their own. They rely on our munitions, our financial contributions, our political cover at the world stage. The Biden and Trump administrations obliged, our legislature by and large complies and our state institutions do their part to also partake in violations of the Geneva Convention — the same laws the Nazis who stood trial at Nuremberg were found guilty of committing.

I try to bear witness to the ongoing horror.

I and 10 others in New Hampshire have been fasting in solidarity with the Palestinians since May 22. We do this in part of a national action, organized by Veterans For Peace and Friends of Sabeel North America, to demand an immediate ceasefire and resumption of humanitarian aid. I’m hungry, sure. But it is incomparable to the nightmare those who still live in Gaza are enduring.

What kind of evil enacts policies like these toward place in which a majority of children do not think they will live, where many children would welcome death? This level of barbarity is unfathomable. Does our legislature see them as humans deserving dignity?

While our government is unconstitutionally waging war against Iranians, they are also illegally partnering in a genocide against the Palestinians. Just exactly what is our New Hampshire legislature doing? Being not-Trump is not a position of taking responsibility, upholding the law and representing New Hampshire residents. Why can’t Senators Shaheen and Hassan or Representatives Goodlander and Pappas enforce – or even call for the enforcement of – our Constitution and federal laws when it comes to U.S. foreign policy?

Why aren’t they calling for real accountability? Because they are complicit.

Call your legislators. Demand answers. Demand them to impeach President Trump for (1) illegally taking military action against Iranians, violating their sovereignty and endangering our military abroad; and (2) partnering with Israel in an ongoing genocide. Demand each legislator co-sponsors and votes ‘yes’ to their respective War Powers Resolution. Demand each legislator to co-sponsor and vote ‘yes’ on immediate humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza. Demand they call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. If our legislature is not representing us, just who are they pushing policies for?

It will be too late when the genocide is finished, when the war with Iran ends. Power in our republic is only in our hands so long as we collectively, voluntarily assume responsibility for how our government’s behavior. Demand accountability. Be the light you wish to see.

Jesse Gillis lives in Pembroke and is a member of Veterans For Peace.