The Jewish and pro-Israel agendas do not always correlate, but the lobbying organizations often promote similar measures and advocate identical approaches from the U.S. government. JTA surveyed the major lobbying organizations on their agendas for 2010, with the major common theme being advocacy to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. The U.S. is currently debating sanction on the regime and some indications point to a potential pending military strike on the country.
The issue of an Iranian nuclear program is not just an issue that affects Israel, it uniquely impacts Jews as well. The Iranian regime has dismissed the Holocaust as a hoax and expressed anti-Semitic sentiments that are unrelated to Israel. And, clearly, the regime has also called for the destruction of Israel and, by obtaining nuclear weapons, Iran would threaten Israel and the entire region.
Notable excerpts from the survey include-
AIPAC:
“We are at a critical juncture in efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons capability. As the U.S. works with our allies to pass additional U.N. Security Council sanctions, it’s critical that the administration take immediate steps to ratchet up pressure on the regime.”
American Jewish Committee:
“As for President Obama, 2010 could be the make-or-break year for the Iranian nuclear program. It will be a time of extraordinary testing of the Obama Administration. A laudable effort to reach out to Tehran was spurned, and a reasonable proposal on nuclear fuel was rejected by Iran. Now it’s time to get tough, summon all the diplomatic clout of the U.S. to mobilize allies and convince Iran that Washington means business. This may well be the supreme foreign policy test facing the president. He must succeed.”
American Jewish Congress:
“No issue ought to be higher on the Jewish agenda than stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have approved separate versions of the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act; they need to be reconciled.
The administration urgently needs to assemble international support for effective sanctions.”
ADL:
“Congress should put America’s commitment to halt Iran’s nuclear quest into action by enacting crippling sanctions legislation to complement multilateral efforts. Congress also plays a vital role in sustaining U.S. support for Israel’s right to live in peace and with security.”
B’nai B’rith International:
“2010 needs to be the year of decision on Iran — perhaps the final chance to stop Tehran’s march to develop a nuclear weapon. Iran’s quest for nuclear arms is a major cause of instability in the world today. Lawmakers must use this session to advance strong U.S. leadership on unified, international sanctions against the Iranian regime.
Congressional action transmits a message of magnitude to other world bodies. Iran should be a priority item and Congress must implement harsh sanctions against a regime that repeatedly defies international protocols.
The world cannot wait indefinitely for Iran to quell its nuclear ambitions. It won’t. Harsh sanctions, backed by real penalties and isolation, are clearly in order. We cannot allow a Holocaust-denying leader who wants to destroy Israel, who captured his office in a rigged election and who suppresses his own people with human rights violations the tools to carry out his threats.”
Jewish Council for Public Affairs:
“The JCPA has numerous domestic and international concerns, including preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and protecting the most vulnerable in our society from hunger and homelessness. However, the most pressing domestic need in the United States today is the need to help the unemployed return to work and continue our nation’s economic recovery. This includes investing in green jobs, improving public education and work training programs, and targeting new investment to populations and regions that have been disproportionately affected by the recession. Congress and the administration must look for ways to encourage job growth in every sector of the economy, and no proposal to reduce unemployment should be discounted or ignored. Returning Americans to work is not a Republican Party or Democratic Party mantra, but vital for the continued economic recovery of this country.”
Zionist Organization of America:
“If it becomes clear sanctions against Iran aren’t working, Congress may give support to Israel and the United States to take military action.”
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