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Should Federation take sides?: A Rabbinic letter of support for the Iran agreement

On July 21, the Los Angeles Jewish Federation board sent an appeal to our community to urge Congress to oppose the joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s Nuclear Program, saying:
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July 29, 2015

On July 21, the Los Angeles Jewish Federation board sent an appeal to our community to urge Congress to oppose the joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s Nuclear Program, saying:

“The proposed agreement with Iran … impacts the security of the United States, the stability of the Middle East, the future of the State of Israel and the safety of every Jewish family and community around the world. This Iran deal threatens the mission of our Federation as we exist to assure the continuity of the Jewish people, support a secure State of Israel, care for Jews in need here and abroad and mobilize on issues of concerns.” 

The letter calls upon our community members “to raise their voices in opposition to this agreement by contacting their elected representatives to urge them to oppose this deal.”

The letter gives the impression there is unanimity in Israel that the Iran agreement undermines Israel’s security and, consequently, there is only one way for those who care about Israel’s security to respond to the agreement: to oppose it. 

We strongly disagree. 

Here are three of at least nine published statements from leading Israeli security experts who offer a more nuanced view of the agreement, and while acknowledging that there are imperfections, believe this Iran agreement is an important step forward in enhancing Israel’s security.

Ami Ayalon, former head of the Shin Bet and former Navy commander-in-chief:

“[The agreement] is the best possible alternative from Israel’s point of view, given the other available alternatives. … In the Middle East, 10 to 15 years is an eternity, and I don’t believe that 10 or 15 years from now the world will stand by and watch Iran acquire nuclear weapons.”

The Peace and Security Association representing hundreds of Israeli security experts, IDF veterans, Mossad, Shin Bet and police:

“Although the agreement signed in Vienna between the world powers and Iran is not optimal, it should remove the immediate threat of an Iranian breakthrough leading to a nuclear military capability within a few months.”

Efraim Halevy, former Mossad director and former head of the Israeli National Security Council:

“Without an agreement, Iran will be free to act as it wishes, whereas the sanctions regime against it will crumble in any case … if the nuclear issue is of cardinal existential importance, what is the point of canceling an agreement that distances Iran from the bomb?”

Good, intelligent Jews who are committed to the welfare of the State of Israel will, of course, disagree. It is critical that the American public and our congressional representatives recognize there are strong, committed Israel supporters in the American-Jewish community and among its leadership who, guided by many in the Israeli security establishment, support this agreement. 

A poll published last week by the Jewish Journal revealed a majority of Los Angeles Jewry and American Jewry favor the agreement despite hesitations, fears and concerns. 

As rabbis, Zionists and ohavei m’dinat Yisrael, we support this agreement, even with its flaws.

Many political, security and diplomatic experts agree that should this negotiated agreement fail now as a result of a veto-proof congressional vote, no other agreement is realistically possible.

We fear then that only a military response will stop Iran in its march to nuclear capability. We are deeply worried that thousands of Hezbollah rockets will be launched against Tel Aviv, Haifa and everywhere in between, causing death and mayhem to our people and the State of Israel, and sparking regional conflagration. 

We believe that this agreement is the best alternative to that potential catastrophic outcome. 

Sincerely,

Rabbi Lewis Barth
Rabbi Sharon Brous
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben
Rabbi Ken Chasen
Rabbi Aryeh Cohen
Rabbi Hillel Cohn
Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels
Rabbi William Cutter
Rabbi Stan Davids 
Rabbi Marc Dworkin
Rabbi Lisa Edwards
Rabbi Anthony Elman
Rabbi Reuven Firestone
Rabbi Karen Fox
Rabbi Dara Frimmer
Rabbi Laura Geller
Rabbi Aimee Geracee
Rabbi Miriyam Glazer
Rabbi Susan Goldberg
Rabbi Jerrold Goldstein
Rabbi Joshua Levine Grater
Rabbi Judith HaLevy
Rabbi Jocee Hudson
Rabbi Jim Kaufman
Rabbi Zoe Klein
Rabbi Gil Kollin
Rabbi Susan Laemmle
Rabbi Stan Levy
Rabbi Heather Miller
Rabbi Michelle Missaghieh
Rabbi Janet Offel
Rabbi Laura Owens
Rabbi Arnold Rachlis
Rabbi John Rosove
Rabbi Neal Scheindlin
Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller
Rabbi Daniel Shevitz
Rabbi Ruth H. Sohn
Rabbi Dvora Weisberg

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