Illinois divests $133 million in anti-nuclear Iran initiative
By Jane CHARNEY, Staff Writer Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, 9/24/09
Illinois State Sen. Jeff Schoenberg and Rep. Lou Lang announced Sept. 24 the results of a significant state-level effort to curb Iran’s nuclear threat: the divestment of $133 million in state pension funds from foreign companies doing business with Iran’s energy sector.
Illinois has been at the forefront of efforts to stop Iran’s nuclear program. In fact, the state passed the nation’s second divestment bill in 2007. The Illinois bill also was the first to require foreign companies seeking business with the state to indicate if they are doing business with Iran’s energy sector.
“The law declares simply the state’s readiness not just to speak out against Iran’s recklessness but to act to curb it as well,” Shoenberg said at a press conference announcing the results of divestment (watch the video of the event). “As long as the Iranian leadership continues to pursue nuclear weapons in defiance of international law, we are absolutely compelled to withhold our public investments from this rogue country.”
State Reps. Will Davis, Linda Chapa LaVia, and Sid Mathias, all of whom co-sponsored the original bill in 2007, again showed their support for the anti-Iran initiative by attending the press conference.
JUF’s Jewish Community Relations Council and its Government Affairs Office in Springfield played a key role in securing support for the legislation. They also worked with business associations generally opposed to divestment to remain neutral on the Illinois law and with the state pension boards’ compliance and general counsel officers on implementation and reporting.
“While others are calling for action and talking about what to do, Illinois already has acted and has emerged as a leader in this area,” said JUF Executive Vice President Michael Kotzin, who also spoke at the press conference. Read his entire remarks.
Preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons has been the top focus of lobbying efforts by Jewish organizations nationwide. In early September, 20 Chicagoans joined about 300 Jewish community leaders from around the country to urge lawmakers on Capitol Hill to take a tougher stance on Iran as part of the National Jewish Leadership Advocacy Day on Iran, coordinated by the National Inter-Agency Task Force on Iran. Rallies also took place Sept. 24 in New York and several other cities in solidarity with Iran’s opposition movement, which stood up against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s rule.
Jewish and non-Jewish lay leaders, students, and JUF staff met with Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin and Illinois Reps. Jerry Costello, Danny K. Davis, Luis Gutierrez, Bill Foster, Phil Hare, Debbie Halvorson, Jesse Jackson, Jr., Mark Kirk, Donald Manzullo, Mike Quigley, Peter Roskam, Aaron Schock and Jan Schakowsky to discuss upcoming House bills connected to Iran. Chicagoans comprised one of the largest groups at the fly-in.
The Illinois congressional delegation has been supportive of anti-nuclear Iran efforts. In particular, the entire delegation signed on as co-sponsors of the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act of 2009, which would strengthen the President’s authority to impose sanctions on any entity providing Iran with refined petroleum resources. Illinois legislators also are co-sponsoring the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2009, which requires federal support for local and state governments’ and educational institutions’ divestment from entities investing more than $20 million in Iran’s energy sector.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
President Obama: "The time has come to re-launch negotiations without preconditions that address the permanent status issues: security for Israelis and Palestinians, borders, refugees, and Jerusalem. And the goal is clear: Two states living side by side in peace and security - a Jewish state of Israel, with true security for all Israelis; and a viable, independent Palestinian state with contiguous territory that ends the occupation that began in 1967, and realizes the potential of the Palestinian people." September 23, 2009, UN Speech
The lesson of Oslo, Camp David and Annapolis is clear-cut: Even the most moderate Palestinian leadership is not prepared to accept Israel's most far-reaching peace proposal. In 16 years of a painstaking and exhausting peace process, the Palestinians never agreed to a single concession on a core issue. Their refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, to agree to demilitarize a Palestinian state or to give up their demand for the return of refugees to Israel has blocked peace in the past, is blocking peace in the present and will continue doing so for the foreseeable future. As of now, there is no genuine Palestinian partner for the partition of the country. Obama's Palestinian problem can't be swept under a carpet of words. -- Avi Shavit , September 24, 2009 Ha'aretz
The lesson of Oslo, Camp David and Annapolis is clear-cut: Even the most moderate Palestinian leadership is not prepared to accept Israel's most far-reaching peace proposal. In 16 years of a painstaking and exhausting peace process, the Palestinians never agreed to a single concession on a core issue. Their refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, to agree to demilitarize a Palestinian state or to give up their demand for the return of refugees to Israel has blocked peace in the past, is blocking peace in the present and will continue doing so for the foreseeable future. As of now, there is no genuine Palestinian partner for the partition of the country. Obama's Palestinian problem can't be swept under a carpet of words. -- Avi Shavit , September 24, 2009 Ha'aretz
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Netanyahu on prospects for peace
If the leader of the Palestinian Authority genuinely steps forward and says, "We recognize the State of Israel, we're willing to make peace with the Jewish state, and it will be a peace of the recognition and security," then my government will make peace.
-- Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, September 22, 2009 CNN Interview
-- Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, September 22, 2009 CNN Interview
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
To move forward prospects for peace this week at the UN, President Obama will have the tall order of slaying pernicious “one-state” fantasies while advancing a truly even-handed approach that not only opposes new West Bank settlements but pressures Palestinians and the Arab and Muslim world to end anti-Israel incitement, accepts Israel’s “Jewish character,” and provides the Israeli people with the confidence that they'll never have to face another Yom Kippur War.
-- Cooper and Brackman, Simon Wiesenthal Center September 22, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Suspect in alleged NYC bomb plot admits ties to terrorism
Sept 18, 2009 2:44 pm US/Mountain
Zazi Admits Ties To Terrorism [reportedly Al Qaeda]
DENVER (CBS4/AP) ―
CBS News has learned that Najibullah Zazi, the man questioned by the FBI in a terrorism probe in New York and Colorado, has provided a partial confession to investigators. He has admitted ties to terrorism, but downplayed his involvement in any terrorist plot.
Zazi Admits Ties To Terrorism [reportedly Al Qaeda]
DENVER (CBS4/AP) ―
CBS News has learned that Najibullah Zazi, the man questioned by the FBI in a terrorism probe in New York and Colorado, has provided a partial confession to investigators. He has admitted ties to terrorism, but downplayed his involvement in any terrorist plot.
Jewish Groups to Political Parties: “Move Iowa Caucuses” - Planned Date Forces Jewish Voters to Choose Between Faith, Civic Duty
Posted September 18, 2009 by Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA)online at www.jewishpublicaffairs.org .
NEW YORK – Unless rescheduled, the planned 2010 Iowa Caucuses will disenfranchise Jewish voters, says a coalition of 18 Jewish organizations organized by The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA).
The Republican and Democratic Iowa Caucuses are currently planned for Saturday, January 23, 2010. The Jewish community recognizes Saturday as its Sabbath - a day set aside for rest, prayer and reflection. The 2010 caucuses would be the first time the Iowa Caucuses would be held on the Sabbath.
The Jewish coalition opposed to holding the Iowa Caucuses on the Sabbath notes that the decision to move the Iowa political party caucuses to Saturday “effectively disenfranchises members of the Jewish community” because it would “force members of the Iowa Jewish community to choose between their faith and civic duties.” Additionally, the Jewish organizations point out that if the caucuses are held on the currently scheduled date, observant Jews “would be unable to work on caucus day to support their candidates of choice.”
Calling the decision “utterly inconsistent with the values of our pluralistic democracy,” the Jewish community’s statement, included in its entirety below, calls on Republican and Democratic Party Chairs in Iowa to “reverse this ill-considered move.”
“Dear Mr. Kiernan and Mr. Strawn:
“A central premise of American politics is the enfranchisement of every citizen. The Jewish community has actively campaigned for fair and equal representation for the voices of majority and minorities alike, the protection of civil rights of all people and unencumbered access for all to the processes that choose our elected leaders. Our nation has thrived because of the tremendous opportunities afforded to people from diverse racial, ethnic, religious and other backgrounds. For this reason, we are distressed to learn that the Democratic and Republican parties of Iowa have decided to hold their 2010 caucuses on a Saturday.
“The decision to move the Iowa political party caucuses to a Saturday effectively disenfranchises members of the Jewish community. Jews who observe the Sabbath could not work on caucus day to support their candidates of choice. Worse, since caucuses do not allow for absentee voting, there would be essentially no opportunity to participate in this important process. This is utterly inconsistent with the values of our pluralistic democracy.
“Voting and participation in the electoral process is a cornerstone of any democracy. It is the highest civic duty most people ever undertake. Saturday caucuses will force members of the Iowa Jewish community to choose between their faith and their civic duties.
“Given the important role Iowa has in our nation’s electoral contests and their leadership position in serving as a role model to other states, we respectfully ask and hope the Democratic and Republican parties to reverse this ill‐considered this move.”
The statement was endorsed by The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA); American Jewish Committee; American Jewish Congress; Anti-Defamation League; B’nai B’rith International; Central Conference of American Rabbis; Hadassah: The Women’s Zionist Organization of America; Jewish Labor Committee; Jewish Reconstructionist Federation; Jewish War Veterans; National Council of Jewish Women; National Jewish Democratic Council; ORT America; Orthodox Union; Rabbinical Assembly; Republican Jewish Coalition; Union for Reform Judaism; and United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism.
The Jewish community coalition was organized by The JCPA, which unsuccessfully advocated to Nevada’s Democratic and Republican party leaders to reschedule its 2007 caucus meetings from the Sabbath.
JCPA is committed to ensuring Jewish and other minority voters across the country, regardless of their political affiliation, are given every opportunity to participate in the electoral process.
Source: http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/t/1686/blog/comments.jsp?key=89&blog_entry_KEY=490&t=
Posted September 18, 2009 by Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA)online at www.jewishpublicaffairs.org .
Through JCPA, 18 national Jewish organizations request that the Iowa Democratic and Republican parties reverse the "ill‐considered move" of scheduling the 2010 caucuses on a Saturday. JCPA letter supportive of JCRC/Des Moines Jewish Federation's position.
NEW YORK – Unless rescheduled, the planned 2010 Iowa Caucuses will disenfranchise Jewish voters, says a coalition of 18 Jewish organizations organized by The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA).
The Republican and Democratic Iowa Caucuses are currently planned for Saturday, January 23, 2010. The Jewish community recognizes Saturday as its Sabbath - a day set aside for rest, prayer and reflection. The 2010 caucuses would be the first time the Iowa Caucuses would be held on the Sabbath.
The Jewish coalition opposed to holding the Iowa Caucuses on the Sabbath notes that the decision to move the Iowa political party caucuses to Saturday “effectively disenfranchises members of the Jewish community” because it would “force members of the Iowa Jewish community to choose between their faith and civic duties.” Additionally, the Jewish organizations point out that if the caucuses are held on the currently scheduled date, observant Jews “would be unable to work on caucus day to support their candidates of choice.”
Calling the decision “utterly inconsistent with the values of our pluralistic democracy,” the Jewish community’s statement, included in its entirety below, calls on Republican and Democratic Party Chairs in Iowa to “reverse this ill-considered move.”
“Dear Mr. Kiernan and Mr. Strawn:
“A central premise of American politics is the enfranchisement of every citizen. The Jewish community has actively campaigned for fair and equal representation for the voices of majority and minorities alike, the protection of civil rights of all people and unencumbered access for all to the processes that choose our elected leaders. Our nation has thrived because of the tremendous opportunities afforded to people from diverse racial, ethnic, religious and other backgrounds. For this reason, we are distressed to learn that the Democratic and Republican parties of Iowa have decided to hold their 2010 caucuses on a Saturday.
“The decision to move the Iowa political party caucuses to a Saturday effectively disenfranchises members of the Jewish community. Jews who observe the Sabbath could not work on caucus day to support their candidates of choice. Worse, since caucuses do not allow for absentee voting, there would be essentially no opportunity to participate in this important process. This is utterly inconsistent with the values of our pluralistic democracy.
“Voting and participation in the electoral process is a cornerstone of any democracy. It is the highest civic duty most people ever undertake. Saturday caucuses will force members of the Iowa Jewish community to choose between their faith and their civic duties.
“Given the important role Iowa has in our nation’s electoral contests and their leadership position in serving as a role model to other states, we respectfully ask and hope the Democratic and Republican parties to reverse this ill‐considered this move.”
The statement was endorsed by The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA); American Jewish Committee; American Jewish Congress; Anti-Defamation League; B’nai B’rith International; Central Conference of American Rabbis; Hadassah: The Women’s Zionist Organization of America; Jewish Labor Committee; Jewish Reconstructionist Federation; Jewish War Veterans; National Council of Jewish Women; National Jewish Democratic Council; ORT America; Orthodox Union; Rabbinical Assembly; Republican Jewish Coalition; Union for Reform Judaism; and United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism.
The Jewish community coalition was organized by The JCPA, which unsuccessfully advocated to Nevada’s Democratic and Republican party leaders to reschedule its 2007 caucus meetings from the Sabbath.
JCPA is committed to ensuring Jewish and other minority voters across the country, regardless of their political affiliation, are given every opportunity to participate in the electoral process.
Source: http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/t/1686/blog/comments.jsp?key=89&blog_entry_KEY=490&t=
Ahmadinejad: Confronting Israel is a national [and religious] duty
By The Associated Press and Reuters September 18, 2009
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Friday the Holocaust was a "lie" and a pretext to create a Jewish state that Iranians had a religious duty to confront.
"The pretext (Holocaust) for the creation of the Zionist regime (Israel) is false ... It is a lie based on an unprovable and mythical claim," he told worshippers at Tehran University at the end of annual anti-Israel Quds Day rally.
"Confronting the Zionist regime is a national and religious duty," the Iranian president said.
By The Associated Press and Reuters September 18, 2009
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Friday the Holocaust was a "lie" and a pretext to create a Jewish state that Iranians had a religious duty to confront.
"The pretext (Holocaust) for the creation of the Zionist regime (Israel) is false ... It is a lie based on an unprovable and mythical claim," he told worshippers at Tehran University at the end of annual anti-Israel Quds Day rally.
"Confronting the Zionist regime is a national and religious duty," the Iranian president said.
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