Jewish Federations of North America, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and the American Jewish Committee are among the major Jewish organizations that have voiced support for the bipartisan contingency Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2013 that has been introduced into the U. S. Senate. -- JCRC
“[T]he threat of additional sanctions – to be triggered if the interim agreement is violated or if a satisfactory final agreement is not reached in a timely matter - will lend immediacy to the talks.” -- JCPA Chair Larry Gold
"The threat of additional sanctions, with the appropriate Presidential waivers in this legislation, ensures that Iran knows this and all other options are on the table should negotiations fail." -- Michael Siegal, chair of the JFNA Board of Trustees.
“Until there are tangible, verifiable deeds by Iran to permanently end its quest for nuclear-weapons capability, Congress is doing the right thing, sending a strong message to Iran that it will pay a heavy price if a permanent agreement on its nuclear program is not achieved,” said AJC Executive Director David Harris.
| Federations Support New Iran Sanctions Legislation
Dec. 19, 2013 |
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| The Jewish Federations of North America support the bipartisan introduction of the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act in the United States Senate today. If negotiations with Iran for a comprehensive agreement fail or if Iran violates the terms of the interim agreement with the P5+1, the legislation would impose tougher sanctions aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
"We believe a diplomatic solution to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capacity, a threat to the entire world, is vital. We stand firmly with President Obama as he and our P5+1 allies seek to negotiate a comprehensive agreement," said Michael Siegal, chair of the JFNA Board of Trustees.
"We recognize economic sanctions have been successful in bringing Iran to the negotiating table, as well as in expressing the resolve of the global community," Siegal added. "The threat of additional sanctions, with the appropriate Presidential waivers in this legislation, ensures that Iran knows this and all other options are on the table should negotiations fail."
The Senate bill is consistent with the resolution passed by the Jewish Federations last month, after the JFNA General Assembly in Jerusalem, which called for the "complete dismantling of Iran’s capability of producing nuclear weapons."
The Jewish Federations encourage Senators to co-sponsor the legislation, and to swiftly pass it upon their return to Washington in January. |
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From the Jewish Council for Public Affairs
A Strong Sanctions Regime: The Best Route to a Peaceful Resolution with Iran
Washington, DC – December 19, 2013. The Jewish Council for Public Affairs today encouraged the Senate to pass the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act introduced by Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) and supported by a bipartisan group of 24 other Senators. The proposed legislation will further restrict purchases of Iranian petroleum, add to the already successful sanctions that have pressured Iran to join negotiations, includes a non-binding provision that the U.S. will support Israel if it takes “military action in legitimate self-defense,” and, crucially, mandates a final deal that dismantles Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The proposed measure also allows the President to waive future sanctions either by certifying Iranian compliance with the temporary agreement reached in Geneva or in the event a final agreement is reached. The JCPA, a Jewish umbrella organization, called the enhanced sanctions an important contribution toward a successfully negotiated end to Iran’s nuclear program.
“The best pathway to resolving the crisis over Iran’s nuclear weapons program unquestionably is a diplomatic one. We applauded President Obama and Secretary Kerry for their efforts together with the other P5+1 partners in achieving an interim agreement with Iran as a valuable step in this direction. But so long as Iran maintains the ability to reach breakout nuclear capability, we, our allies in the region, and the entire international community will continue to be threatened,” said JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow. “We thank the Senators for insisting on dismantlement of the infrastructure that supports this dangerous program.”
“Sanctions have always been a means to ending the Iranian nuclear weapons program, and – in fact – have been one of the most effective tools in bringing Iran to the negotiating table,” said JCPA Chair Larry Gold. “Our goal is not to inflict any more economic pain on the Iranian people, but rather to achieve a lasting, negotiated solution. A well crafted sanctions regime made diplomacy possible, and the threat of additional sanctions – to be triggered if the interim agreement is violated or if a satisfactory final agreement is not reached in a timely matter - will lend immediacy to the talks.”
Earlier this year, over 5000 members of the Jewish community signed a JCPA-sponsored petition supporting enhanced sanctions legislation passed last summer in the House of Representatives and encouraging the Senate to take similar action.
American Jewish Congress Supports Bipartisan Senate Bill on Iran Sanctions
December 19, 2013 – New York – AJC applauded Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Charles Schumer (D-NY), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) for spearheading a new bipartisan Senate bill on Iran. AJC is urging Senators to move expeditiously to adopt the measure, the Nuclear Free Iran Act of 2013, introduced today with 26 Senators co-sponsoring.
“Until there are tangible, verifiable deeds by Iran to permanently end its quest for nuclear-weapons capability, Congress is doing the right thing, sending a strong message to Iran that it will pay a heavy price if a permanent agreement on its nuclear program is not achieved,” said AJC Executive Director David Harris. AJC earlier this month sent a letter to all Senators urging them to support the preparation of new sanctions.
AJC has conveyed appreciation for the efforts of the Administration and the other P5+1 governments negotiating with Iran. At the same time, Harris emphasized that the new sanctions should be held in reserve to “underscore the seriousness of America’s determination -- and the consequences of an Iranian failure to act in good faith.”
“AJC has long believed in a diplomatic, not a military, solution to the Iranian nuclear crisis, and has advocated for the toughest possible economic measures to persuade Iran to desist from its nuclear-weapons quest,” said Harris.
“Sanctions work,” said Harris. “What prompted Iran to come to the negotiations in Geneva with the P5+1 nations – the increasing toll of sanctions -- remains essential for ensuring that Tehran is committed to negotiating a final agreement to end its nuclear-weapons program.”
Numerous questions have arisen since the Geneva deal announced on November 23, and at least one P5+1 country, France, has expressed serious doubts about the Iranian commitment to reach a final deal.
“Iran’s charge that Congress will cause the collapse of the interim deal is a diversionary tactic,” said Harris. “If Iran is serious about a deal, then Iran has nothing whatsoever to fear from the bipartisan Senate initiative.”
The Senate measure includes a provision for President Obama to waive sanctions if the Administration can certify that Iran is complying with the Geneva deal and negotiating in good faith on a final agreement.
