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Reform Jewish Movement Responds to Iran Deal

(Union for Reform Judaism) On Aug. 19, the leaders of the Union for Reform Judaism issued a statement concluding that the movement would not take a position for or against the Iran deal. In addition, they noted "five principal areas of concern: deterrence, Iran's support of terror, inspections, human rights and religious freedom, and the United States' standing in the world." On deterrence: "We call on President Obama to issue an unequivocal statement that at no point will the U.S. accept a nuclear-armed Iran. The Administration must state clearly that in the short term, and more importantly, 15 years from now when key provisions of the JCPOA expire, the U.S. will take no option off the table when it comes to preventing Iran from attaining nuclear weapons capability. We also call on the U.S. to provide Israel with the support necessary, including advanced weaponry and the means to deliver it, to further deter Iran, protect Israel's security, and maintain Israel's qualitative military edge." On Iran's support of terror: "Iran's longstanding and persistent threats against Israel, the U.S. and others, as well as its record of support for international terror organizations including Hamas and Hizbullah, are not addressed by this agreement. We urge the Administration to work with our European allies to ensure that harsh international sanctions will be adopted if Iran leverages its newfound resources to further fund terror activity. The U.S. should also commit to leading a broader international effort designed to eliminate Iran's support of international terror." On inspections: "We call upon the Administration to commit to imposing significant additional consequences if Iran challenges the inspections regime, in addition to the "snap back" sanctions." On human rights and religious freedom: "Iran remains one of the world's great violators of human rights and religious freedom. The Administration has committed to keeping the sanctions related to human rights fully intact after this agreement and must further commit to marshaling international pressure on Iran to make improvements in expanding human rights, religious freedom and the development of democratic structures."
2015-08-21 00:00:00
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