|
Trending Topics
|
Source: http://www.thejewishweek.com/viewArticle/c55_a13440/Editorial__Opinion/Opinion.html
Taking Ahmadinejad at His Word
[New York Jewish Week] Malcolm Hoenlein - Hitler diverted vital manpower, munitions and resources from critical battlefronts to fulfill his maniacal obsession to destroy the Jewish people. Today, we see this same hatred expressed by Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in his threats to wipe Israel (and the U.S.) off the map, his Holocaust denial, and his support for Hamas and Hizbullah whose avowed goal is to destroy the Jewish state. The cost to his people and nation matter little as he seeks to implement his extremist ideology. He stated his willingness to see half his country destroyed in his drive to eliminate Israel. The financial, military, and political support Ahmadinejad provides terrorist groups globally has earned him the distinction of being the leading state sponsor of terror. His brutal repression of his own citizens, including the execution of women and children, and the persecution of dissidents and minority groups, puts him at the top of human rights violators in the world. Iran has demonstrated repeatedly its readiness to use the weapons at its disposal and to provide them to groups like the insurgents in Iraq and Hizbullah. Just imagine if he had the capacity to produce nuclear weapons and could provide them to his terrorist allies. We must let world leaders who gather next week for the UN General Assembly know that we will not be silent. We must let the people of Iran know that they are not alone in rejecting his hate-filled leadership. We must show that "Never Again!" is not a hollow rally chant but a pledge each generation must take anew - not just in word but in deed. People of all faiths will be joining together in New York City at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza across from the UN at 11:45 a.m. on Monday, Sep. 22, to declare that we are united against a nuclear Iran. That Iran must be stopped - now. That the UN and the international leaders must resolve to act decisively to implement strong economic and political sanctions and isolate Iran. The writer is executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.