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October 23, 2015 | 10th Cheshvan 5776

Reform Jewish Movement Response to Iran Deal: Address Important Concerns, Focus on the Day After

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lauren Theodore at 212-650-4154

Max Rosenblum at 202-387-2800

REFORM JEWISH MOVEMENT RESPONSE TO IRAN DEAL:
ADDRESS IMPORTANT CONCERNS, FOCUS ON THE DAY AFTER

Whether the JCPOA is approved or defeated, there will be a day after. It is essential that this debate not be allowed to create a lasting rift between Israel and the U.S., between North American Jews and Israelis, or among American Jews.
 

Following extensive consultations with experts from across the political spectrum in both the United States and Israel, and thoughtful conversation with North American Reform Jewish leaders, the Reform Jewish Movement today issued a leadership statement on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The statement – released today by the leaders of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, and ARZA – concludes that “there is simply no clarity that would support taking a position ‘for’ or ‘against’ the JCPOA itself.” Rather, the statement emphasizes, “Our focus must be on two questions: First, how is it possible to address our concerns about the JCPOA? Second, if the agreement is finalized, what happens the day after? Specifically, how can we work to support the strongest possible U.S.-Israel relationship going forward?”

Looking toward the “day after,” the leadership statement noted that “Whether the JCPOA is approved or defeated, there will be a day after. It is essential that this debate not be allowed to create a lasting rift between Israel and the U.S., between North American Jews and Israelis, or among American Jews.”

The statement also addressed the tone of the debate, saying “We call upon the Israeli leadership, the U.S. Administration and members of Congress, and those on all sides of this debate to tamp down their rhetoric. If the debate is allowed to weaken the U.S.-Israel alliance, or further sharpen partisan divides over what it means to be ‘pro-Israel,’ Israel will be less secure.”

The full statement follows.
 



NEW YORK, NY, August 19, 2015 — Our tradition teaches us never to wage war without first seeking vigorously the possibility of peace (Deut. 20:10). In that spirit, we applaud the diplomatic efforts of the Obama Administration to keep Iran from acquiring or developing nuclear weapons. We thank President Obama for his commitment to diplomacy, and we express our gratitude to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for keeping the world focused on the danger posed by Iran.

The end product of the Administration’s diplomatic efforts – the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – is challenging to analyze. Some argue that it offers the most promising path forward to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear state. Others argue that while the agreement has serious flaws, the consequences of rejecting it create far more perils and damage than implementing it would. Still others argue that it does not do enough to prevent and/or contain the danger that a nuclear Iran would pose. We recognize that these arguments have merit: The JCPOA does present a way forward, there are real dangers to rejecting it, and it does not foreclose Iran’s ability to become a nuclear weapons threshold state.

The Reform Movement is large and diverse. Within the Movement, reasonable people — patriotic Americans and passionate Zionists — have expressed different and valid positions on this agreement, articulating the many arguments made by others as well.

Our focus must be on two questions: First, how is it possible to address our concerns about the JCPOA? Second, if the agreement is finalized, what happens the day after? Specifically, how can we work to support the strongest possible U.S.-Israel relationship going forward?

At this time, there is no unity of opinion among the Reform Movement leadership – lay and rabbinic alike – just as there is not unity among our membership as to the JCPOA itself; but there is unity as to the important questions and concerns we pose in this statement.  Thus, there is simply no clarity that would support taking a position “for” or “against” the JCPOA itself.

The Vital Strategic Importance of the U.S.-Israel Alliance

The U.S.-Israel relationship is of historic and strategic importance. It is based on shared values and common concerns. The health of that relationship must never be jeopardized or allowed to become a partisan political issue. Now, more than ever, it is critical to solidify the unique relationship between the U.S. and Israel. The words of Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin ring in our ears: “There are three tenets to Israeli foreign policy, which are the strategic alliance with the United States, the strategic alliance with the United States, and the strategic alliance with the United States.”

We are deeply concerned about the tension, and the harsh rhetoric, in the discourse between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu. We fervently hope that both President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu will take concrete steps, transcending politics, to repair the rifts that impede this relationship between longstanding and essential allies. We say this sincerely believing that President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu are fully committed to the unique U.S.-Israel relationship and with appreciation for the President’s many efforts to support Israel.

It is important to emphasize that as American Jews, we are concerned about this agreement not only as Jews, but also as Americans. Iran’s regime poses a serious security threat to the people and nations of the region who continue to suffer from Iran’s support for violence and terror, including the State of Israel.

Our Concerns

We have had numerous conversations with and briefings from experts on global security and diplomacy, military experts from the U.S. and Israel, Republican and Democratic elected officials, and Israeli political leaders from the left, center, and right.  Those extensive consultations leave us with 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.

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. This could take the form of a new defense alliance between the U.S. and Israel similar to NATO.  These steps are necessary both because of the prospect of Iran developing or obtaining nuclear weapons, and the possibility of increased military activity in the region, which is an inherent and likely consequence of the inevitable lifting of sanctions that any agreement containing Iran’s development of nuclear weapons would entail.

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 Hezbollah, 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.

Inspections: We share those grave concerns that arise out of the fact that Iran’s nuclear sites are currently closed to international inspection and that, even if approved, Iran may violate key provisions of the agreement thwarting inspections. Thus 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 that will be imposed on Iran should it violate key provisions of the JCPOA. Doing so will ensure that Iran recognizes that there will be penalties for any violations of the agreement, even if claimed to be “minor.”

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.

The United States’ Standing in the World: After years leading negotiations between the P5+1 and Iran, U.S. credibility on the world stage and/or in the Middle East has been weakened in recent months as the American political process has unfolded. It is critical that the U.S. maintain leverage to address future international challenges in a manner that protects and advances national interests and especially promotes peace in the Middle East. We recognize that the broad international sanctions currently imposed on Iran, and which played a key role bringing Iran to the negotiating table, are in the process of collapsing with the U.N. Security Council, the Russians, Chinese, and certain Europeans moving to lift their sanctions even as we speak today. The U.S. influence and support of Israel is crucial to maintain peace in the Middle East and a safe Israel.

The Day After

Whether the JCPOA is approved or defeated, there will be a day after.

It is essential that this debate not be allowed to create a lasting rift between Israel and the U.S., between North American Jews and Israelis, or among American Jews. We are concerned, as well, with the possibility that some will use the debate as fuel for anti-Semitic views.

We call upon the Israeli leadership, the U.S. Administration and members of Congress, and those on all sides of this debate to tamp down their rhetoric. If the debate is allowed to weaken the U.S.-Israel alliance, or further sharpen partisan divides over what it means to be “pro-Israel,” Israel will be less secure. And on the day after the vote, as on the day before, Israel will need the United States’ continued military and political support, bilaterally, in the United Nations, and more broadly on the world stage.

The Need for Civility and Open Debate

Our Movement believes in vigorous debate. But that discourse must be civil and constructive, which has too often not been the case. There must be an open and welcoming tent as we continue to debate not only the future of this agreement, but also the very nature of what it means to be pro-Israel. Our Movement is deeply pro-Israel, though we express that core conviction in many different ways. No one should be compelled to defend his or her Zionism or support for Israel as we express legitimate views, both pro and con, about this most difficult issue.

When our people gather in a little less than a month for the High Holy Days, members who support the deal will pray alongside those who do not. If the harsh judgments and rhetoric continue between Washington and Jerusalem – and within our American Jewish community – we will be deprived of a deep commonality that binds our people together. Calling those who oppose the deal “war mongers” shuts shown constructive debate; calling those who support the deal “enablers of a second Holocaust” ends thoughtful discourse.

With such significant stakes, thoughtful debate is not only warranted but also essential. That is what our tradition calls a machloket l’shem shamayim, “a debate for the sake of heaven.”

Conclusion

We offer these thoughts with the words of the prophet Isaiah (2:4) echoing in our hearts and in our minds: “They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”

These coming weeks provide the Administration with an opportunity to address the JCPOA’s serious limitations, and for all parties to this discussion – the Administration, members of Congress and the opponents of the deal in the United States and Israel – to establish a tone of civility and respect on these critical matters.

As always, we pray for peace. We pray that 5776 and the years to follow are a time of peace for all people.

###

Union for Reform Judaism

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President, and Stephen M. Sacks, Chair of the Board

Central Conference of American Rabbis

Rabbi Steve Fox, CEO, and Rabbi Denise L. Eger, President

Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director, and Jennifer Kaufman, Chair, Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism

Association of Reform Zionists of America

Rabbi Joshua Weinberg, President, and Rabbi Bennett Miller, Chair

Comments

Neri

August 19, 2015
02:11 PM

to this I have to add united we stand divided we lose...and better off with few united than many divided after all the active are the one that govern the passive the passive are just white noise.

  Reply

Leonard Lubinsky

August 20, 2015
07:02 AM

School Superintendent, Retired

I am a member of a Temple Shaaray Tefila -- a reform synagogue in the Upper East Side of New York City. I am more than disappointed with the Reform Movement's reluctance to express support for the Nuclear Weapons agreement.

We know that under current conditions, notwithstanding the punishing economic sanctions, Iran as a pariah state was months from the ability to create a nuclear weapon. The agreement has put a stop to this danger -- not forever, but for a long enough period to allow Iran and the world to change. The scientists who expressed support for the agreement know this. The retired military leaders who expressed support for the agreement know this. The agreement makes safer a world that is dangerous, dangerous for Israel as well as for the rest of the Middle East.

There is another dangerous dynamic that the Reform Movement has succumbed to in doing nothing. Some believe that the politics of American Jews is wrong-headed. Those who believe that would make American Jews allies of the domestic opponents, even domestic enemies, of the current president and his political party. Failure to take a stand provides support to those who would press us in this direction.

But consider -- what would American support for Israel be like if support for Israel existed in only one American political party? The United States has a two party system. No party has such long term dominance that the other does not gain political dominance in a decade or so. Acquiescing to those who believe that the President and his party are enemies of Israel sadly helps create that condition.

When the agreement is not disapproved by Congress, whether simply or after a veto, we American Jews will need to have a conversation among ourselves. There are those who are well positioned to help with that conversation -- Senator Schumer and those of good will who have opposed the agreement are important, the many Jewish leaders who have supported the agreement are also important.

The conversation would have been well served by clarity of expression in support of the good sense of this agreement. The prospect of a conversation between those who believe so clearly in creating a dangerous confrontation and those who now appear not to believe anything is dismaying.

  Reply

Arihsteinfeld@Gmail.com

August 21, 2015
10:45 AM

Proud Jewish man

It is true that we shall always seek peace before waging war. Our tradition also teaches us that we should confront reality.
Reality is that in 2006 Iranian leadership held a conference in Teheran which sole purpose was to deny the Holocaust and deny the right of the State of Israel to exist.
Reality is that in 2000 Hizballah crossed into Israeli territory and killed three Israeli soldiers Adi Avitan Benny Avraham and Omar Soued taking their bodies into Lebanon and giving now information as to their condition for years. This was done with the support financially and militarily of Iran.
Reality is that in 2006 Hizballah crossed into Israeli territory and killed two Israeli soldiers Udi Goldwasser and Eldad Regev taking the bodies into Lebanon and keeping the families uninformed for years as to their condition, this was also supported by Iran.
Reality is that four Americans are being held in Iranian jails without any justification and have no basic human rights being accorded them.
Reality is that our President refused to call an attack against a kosher establishment in France Anti Semitic.
Reality is that our President and the Leadership of our nation believes this zebra has changed its stripes. I assume the leadership of Reformed Judaism believes you make deals without requirements of changes in policy or acceptance of appropriate dogma. I hope President Obama is correct, but I believe supporting this policy is fool hearted. I for one can no longer support this President or the Democratic Party, and I assume Reformed Judaism is preparing for a Republican administration and Republican Congress. If they are not yet they should quickly.

  Reply

Paul

August 24, 2015
08:43 PM

Civil Servant

To keep it simple: We should not negotiate with a government whom is radical. Nor should the reform movement back such an idea. Period!!

  Reply

Robert Gutman

August 25, 2015
09:44 AM

Founder of the Israel Center of Durham Chapel Hill

Your "decision" is shanda. I have an image of the victims of Warsaw agreeing to being nice to one another in response to obvious threats. After a brisk exchange of several letters with Eric Yoffie during which he refused to answer questions about the either the inevitable acquisition of a fully developed atomic weapons system or the recently disclosed deal that Iran will inspect itself, I sent this and again he never answered:
Thanks for answering again Eric. I agree we disagree about alternative plans and that it is pointless to discuss it any further.
But several times I have asked you to answer my assumptions about the existing deal, leading inexorably to their possession of atomic weapons in 15 years. In particular, the statement that it would stop Iranian production without referencing any time limit of an atomic bomb is very suspect and you haven't answered that.

Shabbat shalom, Bob

  Reply

Matt Segal

August 25, 2015
01:22 PM

Retired Senior Officer-US Army

I have read all of these comments and at the risk of repeating some of what has been said, there is no doubt that if one looks at the facts (remember the left looks more at emotions, which it is difficult to debate against since facts don't really matter) it is absurd to believe this is a good deal for this country. I cannot believe the secret side deals (such as now revealed self inspections by Iran) have not caused American's to wake up. After we agree to the deals negotiated, the Supreme leaders of Iran get on the air and insult us (America) in a very public manner. Yet this administration shrugs it off. Imagine if we did that, which we never would! This administration has talked a lot about what it will not tolerate (remember the Syrian red line) but does nothing to back it up. A few instances like this and our enemies quickly understand that we have indeed become paper tigers so they can in fact say and do what they want! Remember that Obama belonged to Rev Wright's church for over 20 years and said he did not know of its "hate speech" and Al Sharpton is a frequent White House visitor. Oprah visited Rev Wright's church only a couple of times and decided not to be part of what she indicated was a very negative hate rhetoric. And yet, some support the deals this administration negotiates given what we have seen from Iran and this administration in the past! Makes you wonder if we have a Chamberlain situation again because of our emotional connection to someone who has not demonstrated in his actions he has the best interest of America or Israel or the Middle East as part of his vision. We need to hold all of our politicians accountable and communicate to them as individuals our thoughts on this!

  Reply

Eugene Neigoff

August 25, 2015
04:11 PM

former member of the board of directors and Vice-President of Temple Jeremiah, Northfield IL

This statement is just what you expect from a group of LOYAL Democrats. This URJ is lead my card carrying Democrats who will not take a stand against any Democratic Policy and will say to hell with Israel. You believe that you are willing to see ISRAEL destroyed by Nuclear Weapons, and all you want is for the sheep give you money. I served my country and was in Israel in 1967.

I have been with the reformed movement for 40 years and was a member of the board of directors, and a VICE-PRESIDENT of Temple Jeremiah of NORTHFIELD IL. for 12 years now I am ashamed of being a Reform Jew. I have told my wife that I will not be a part of the URJ family and will find another form of Jewish worship.

  Reply

Concerned Jew

August 28, 2015
11:20 AM

Disappointed. This is wishy washy. I can't believe the reform movement can't make a stance for or against this horribly bad deal!

  Reply

Ward Stalnaker

August 30, 2015
11:01 AM

The United States, as part of the P5+1 (USA and our allies the UK, France, plus Germany and the EU; also Russia and China), has taken a major step toward preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. We need to support the deal with Iran.

The alternative is war. Not just an attack but a boots-on-the-ground war. Meir Dagan, head of the Mossad (Israel’s CIA), from 2002 to 2011, warned that an attack on Iran “would mean regional war, and in that case you would have given Iran the best possible reason to continue the nuclear program.” He further warned that, “The regional challenge that Israel would face would be impossible” and called possibility of an air attack on the Iranian nuclear facilities, “the stupidest thing I have ever heard.”

Meir Dagan and other retired Israeli intelligence and military have warned against Netanyahu and other “hotheads.”

Robert Gates, head of the CIA under George H.W. Bush, defense secretary under George W. Bush and Barack Obama, has said bombing Iran could prove a “catastrophe,” and that Iran’s “capacity to wage a series of terror attacks across the Middle East aimed at us and our friends, and dramatically worsen the situation in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon and elsewhere is hard to overestimate.”

A military strike would delay a bomb 3-5 years while the deal could delay it 10-20 years or more.

Would more sanctions against Iran work? Look at the evidence: After imposition of sanctions in 2006 Iran went from a few hundred centrifuges to 22,000 centrifuges. From enriching below 5 percent to enriching to 20 percent. From one model of centrifuge to eight models of centrifuges, including highly developed centrifuges. All while sanctions were in place.

There are 2 ways to make a bomb, with enriched uranium or with plutonium. The deal requires Iran to get rid of 98% of its low-enriched uranium stockpile. It limits Iran to 3.7% enrichment. Bomb grade is at least 90%. The plutonium route will be cut off as the heavy water reactor at Arak will be rebuilt to make weapons grade plutonium unavailable.

There is no chance that our allies would continue sanctions as long as Iran continues to abide by the agreement.

Congress needs to work with the administration for strong implementation of the accord and action against Iran’s bad actions in the region and toward its own people (Iran’s dissidents overwhelmingly support the deal).  As Iran supports Hezbollah and Hamas, we need to support Israel.    We can co-operate with Iran on its good actions such as its fight against ISIL.

Is this deal enough? Certainly not. It should serve as the start of a nuclear weapons free zone in the Middle East. Voices in Saudi Arabia once advocated a weapons-of-mass-destruction free zone in the Middle East, even if Israel did not participate. We were wrong in not pursuing it then but we don’t have to be wrong now. We need to take the lead.

Would a weapons-of-mass-destruction free zone in the Middle East be enough? No, as conventional weapons today can be extraordinarily destructive. Nor is it enough for one region only to demilitarize.

“Disarmament, with mutual honor and confidence, is a continuing imperative,” said President Eisenhower in his Farewell Address to the Nation.

General Omar Bradley said "Our plight is critical, and with each effort we have made to relieve it by further scientific advance, we have succeeded only in aggravating our peril…If we are going to save ourselves from the instruments of our own intellect, we had better soon get ourselves under control and begin making the world safe for living."

  Reply

GENE

August 30, 2015
05:14 PM

CONCERNED AMERICAN JEW

In your position paper you stated in the section:

Our Concerns:

Deterrence: We call on President Obama to issue an unequivocal statement that at no point will the U.S. accept a nuclear-armed Iran.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS STATEMENT WOULD MEAN ANYTHING TO IRAN AS THEY CONTINUE TO CALL FOR THE ERADICATION OF ISRAEL.

Iran’s Support of Terror:
When have you successfully take back a candy or toy you gave a child. I suggest that the $150,000,000 this agreement gives IRAN will be LAUNDERED and a large part will be given to the numerous terrorist groups IRAN supports. When Israel is attacked with rockets from Lebanon and Gaza what will happen. Iran and the ISLAMIC world will applaud and the URJ and the JNF will call for donations.

Inspections:
The OBAMA administration gave up the right to "ANY TIME ANY PLACE INSPECTION" and instead agreed to a multi-stage process which can give IRAN 48 days to cover up their miss doings.

Next, the administration and Mr Kerry did not even tell the congress about the SECRET AGREEMENT about the IRANIAN/IAEA have nor will they admit to any knowledge of the agreement. The IAEA will not release its agreement, other than to say it is technologically proper.

Human Rights and Religious Freedom: Iran remains one of the world’s great violators of human rights and religious freedom.
I agree with your assessment. IRAN will not be changing it's policy of DEATH TO ISRAEL.

Since you have these concerns NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE A STAND, UNLESS YOU ARE SO CONCERNED THAT THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS ON YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL NOT GIVE YOU THE MILLIONS TO SUPPORT THE URJ>

  Reply

gene

August 30, 2015
05:20 PM

another concerned JEWISH-AMERICAN

<dl><hr/><dt>Originally posted by Anonymous User:</dt><dd>Disappointed. This is wishy washy. I can't believe the reform movement can't make a stance for or against this horribly bad deal!</dd><hr/></dl>

I agree with you and I think the reason is the EXTREME LIBERAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS will not allow URJ to come out against the Democratic Party line. They would rather see ISRAEL destroyed.

  Reply

Gene

September 2, 2015
06:49 PM

A CONSERNED JEW

Since DON JONES an executive assistance at the URJ will not accept this letter. I am posting it here if it is not censored as my last post was. He want to delay any information from getting out and so I will go public with it and see if he or the executive leadership will own up to the facts as published by the Associated Press. Here is my comments.

AP
VIENNA — Aug 20, 2015, 3:35 PM ET

Following is a transcript of the original draft agreement PUBLISHED on between the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran covering inspections at the Parchin military site, where Iran has been accused of pursuing nuclear weapons development a decade ago. This agreement is separate from the much-broader Iran nuclear deal signed by Iran, the U.S., and five other world powers in July. Two officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to The Associated Press that this draft does not differ from the final, confidential agreement between the IAEA and Iran. The AP was not allowed to have a copy of the draft but was allowed to transcribe the entire text, and it appears here:

———

Separate arrangement II agreed by the Islamic State of Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency on 11 July 2015, regarding the Road-map, Paragraph 5

Iran and the Agency agreed on the following sequential arrangement with regard to the Parchin issue:

1. Iran will provide to the Agency photos of the locations, including those identified in paragraph 3 below, which would be mutually agreed between Iran and the Agency, taking into account military concerns.

1. Iran will provide to the Agency videos of the locations, including those identified in paragraph 3 below, which would be mutually agreed between Iran and the Agency, taking into account military concerns.

1. Iran will provide to the Agency 7 environmental samples taken from points inside one building already identified by the Agency and agreed by Iran, and 2 points outside of the Parchin complex which would be agreed between Iran and the Agency.

1. The Agency will ensure the technical authenticity of the activities referred to in paragraphs 1-3 above. Activities will be carried out using Iran's authenticated equipment, consistent with technical specifications provided by the Agency, and the Agency's containers and seals.

1. The above mentioned measures would be followed, as a courtesy by Iran, by a public visit of the Director General, as a dignitary guest of the Government of Iran, accompanied by his deputy for safeguards.

6.Iran and the Agency will organize a one-day technical roundtable on issues relevant to Parchin.

For the International Atomic Energy Agency: Tero Varjoranta, Deputy Director General for Safeguards

For the Islamic Republic of Iran: Ali Hoseini Tash, Deputy Secretary of Supreme National Security Council for Strategic Affairs

Additionally my personal decision was based on the Statements carried in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD of the questioning of Mr. Kerry that he knows nothing about the SECRET Agreement. During discussions he lied when asked if their were any documentations which were not turned over to the congress for review and he said all the documents involved in the agreement were turned over to the CONGRESS. This was a LIE, the congress found out of the SECRET PROTOCOL and when he was confronted with the fact, he downplayed it. He claims he did not know what was in the PROTOCOL. This in itself was proof that the administration was lying. The CIA is no fool and probably has a copy of this PROTOCOL. He did not want to release this damning document since even the Democratic members of congress would have a hard time voting to approve the agreement.

As far as I am concerned, this matter is over and I have personally modified my will cutting out all donations to URJ. If you had come out against this agreement, it would have put all democratic members of congress in a position of having to answer to their constituents for their decision, now they can sit back and say well the URJ did not oppose the agreement so I voted my party line.

Thank you and I repeat my belief that URJ is nothing more than a voice of the LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY. Rabbi STUARTS statement is best a COP-OUT and since he is unwilling to support the State of Israel, I am leaving the the URJ in disgust.

PS. I am an ex-nuclear weapons engineer and am qualified with a US GOVERNMENT Security clearance of "TOP SECRET -Q". The Q means cleared for nuclear weapons development

I can tell you that it will take less than 3 months from the time IRAN decides to make a weapon until they are capable of a URANIUM Nuclear weapon. The key item in making a PLUTONIUM weapon is the design of the EXPLOSIVE LENSES, this can be done at any military base with out leaving a trace of detectable evidence unless any time any place inspection is in place. I can reference you to the book, Atom Bombs: The Top Secret Inside Story of Little Boy and Fat Man, it is in print and clearly shows the developmental engineering of both types of nuclear weapons.

Thank you for aiding the IRANIANs to ensuring a NUCLEAR WEAPON. When this happens, I hope that you and the leadership of the URJ are under the Nuclear cloud. You can trust the Iranian. I believe that PRESIDENT REAGAN said it best when he said "TRUST BUT VERIFY" about the NUCLEAR ARM treaty. I am disgusted to be a Reform Jew.

It is to late for your actions to do any good, and since you came out with your statement, I close by saying SHAME on you, and the URJ. My money will not be going to you and your organization.


  Reply

Dan Goldschmidt

September 5, 2015
03:36 AM

Mr

I am 81, was born, raised, and had a successful career in the Bible Belt and made Aliyah to Israel five years ago. My family were among the founders of Temple Emanu-El in Wichita, Kansas. I can remember clearly during World War 2 hearing news of the Holocaust and seeing the news reels of the liberation of the concentration camps. I asked my parents at that time what they did to prevent this catastrophy. Their only answer was "what could they have done?". Now history repeats itself with Iran's overt intention to destroy Israel and with their second sworn enemy the US where I have
three sons, three grand children, and a brother. Why do we as Jews have to be as naive as we were
when Chamberlain negotiated the infamous "peace" deal with Hitler when all one has to do is read Komeini's new book, listen to their rhetoric, or look at their support for terrorism to know that their intentions are exactly what they state and demonstrate? The fallacy of the URJ to not state opposition while understandable because of the split opinion in their membership is deplorable.

  Reply

The BFJ

September 7, 2015
11:51 AM

An open letter

Thanks Obama,
Bibi

  Reply


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