NEW YORK, NY, May 3, 2010 - In response to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's address this morning to the opening session of the United Nations Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference, Rabbi Eric Yoffie, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:

History has shown time and again the importance of international dialogue and exchange.  Yet when events such as this week's UN meeting on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) are used as a forum for the dissemination of lies, the event and its attendees are diminished.  As in his prior appearances at similar international events, Iranian President Ahmadinejad used his time at the podium to spew invective and hate.  Thus, we applaud the world leaders who expressed their opposition to Ahmadinejad's remarks by walking out during his speech.

The significance of the nuclear threat to our world cannot be overstated.  From the problem of loose-nukes to the pursuit of nuclear weapons capability by dangerous nations including Iran, the need for serious international dialogue and cooperation is vital.  We commend the Obama Administration for taking the lead on strengthening the NPT and we support the seriousness with which the nations of the world in attendance at the UN meeting are facing this challenge.  We urge the international community to move forward swiftly with strong sanctions against a defiant Iran, to make it clear that its pursuit of nuclear weapons is unacceptable. We commend those leaders that walked out of Ahmadinejad's speech today, demonstrating that the community of nations will not acquiesce to Iran's nuclear agenda or its president's mendacity.