NATIONAL JEWISH DEMOCRATIC COUNCIL ‘STRONGLY SUPPORTS’ IRAN DEAL

  

from http://www.njdc.org/

After taking the time to read and discuss the nuclear deal between the P5+1 nations and Iran, the National Jewish Democratic Council announced their strong support of the agreement and the White House. The organization’s leadership stated that after reading the text of the agreement, consulting with nuclear experts and giving the issue much discussion, NJDC has found that the deal accomplishes the core goals of negotiations and will ultimately lead to a safer and more secure region.

Throughout this process, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have remained firm in their commitment to work in the best interest of our nation and, at the same time, to protect the safety and security of the state of Israel. We believe that this deal honors both those promises. This agreement will block off all four of Iran’s potential pathways to a nuclear weapon, institute stringent monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and reduce Iran’s installed centrifuges and stockpiles of enriched uranium. This was a deal aimed at halting Iran’s march towards a nuclear weapon, and we find it will do exactly that.

Further, it is in line with the parameters laid out by a bipartisan group of American diplomats, legislators, policymakers and experts, led by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy several weeks ago. Those parameters include timely and effective IAEA access to Iranian locations, including daily access to the Natanz and Fordow nuclear sites; a comprehensive time-limited process in which Iran will answer concerns laid out by the IAEA in a meaningful fashion; strict limits on advanced centrifuge R&D, testing and deployment over the first 10 years of the agreement and a detailed enrichment plan after that period; restraints on sanction relief until verification by the IAEA on key nuclear measures; and snapback procedures on sanctions should Iran violate the agreement. With these reasonable benchmarks being satisfied by the agreement, we find it to be clear that this deal will in fact achieve the core goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Sadly, as we have seen over the past few days, many parties have chosen to oppose the agreement without giving it the fair consideration that it deserves. While some organizations chose to take the time to read the text of the deal, it is unfortunate that many others issued blanket statements that seemed to be drafted and finalized before any announcement was even made. In the coming weeks, Congress will have an opportunity to give the deal a fair inquiry, and all members of Congress should be given sufficient time to make their own decisions based on hearings and briefings. We look forward to working with lawmakers to ensure that this deal moves forward in an appropriate manner.

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