Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)

Over the past month, the boards of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati (JFC) have carefully analyzed the Iran deal. In alignment with our commitment to educate the community, we have reviewed numerous articles laying out various perspectives, consulted with experts in the relevant fields, engaged with community leaders, and dialogued with colleagues across the country.  Throughout this process, it has been clear that our Jewish community is united in our desire that Iran be prevented, ideally through diplomacy, from reaching nuclear capability. While we share this desire, we acknowledge and respect that there are diverse opinions on whether the current agreement would achieve that outcome.

After voicing our grave concerns on the issues of duration and dismantlement of nuclear activity, inspections and verifications, and nearly immediate sanctions relief, further examination of the deal has not provided sufficient assurance that the deal as is will safeguard the United States and its allies from Iran developing nuclear weapons. Especially alarming is the likelihood that immediate and long-term sanctions relief will result in a substantial increase in Iran’s funding of regional and global terrorism, putting the United States, Israel and other U.S. allies in greater danger.  Furthermore, leaders from across the Israeli political spectrum, from Labor Party head Yitzhak Herzog to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have expressed deep concern about the danger this deal presents for Israel’s security.

Therefore, following a thorough process of open dialogue among our leadership, the JCRC and JFC must oppose the deal, and we urge Congress to do the same.  We also encourage the Administration and Congress to implement immediate and long-term measures to ensure the security of the United States, Israel and other U.S. allies, irrespective of whether the Iran deal is approved or rejected. These include measures similar to those recommended by veteran diplomat/Middle East policy expert Dennis Ross and others:

• A clear and unequivocal statement that the United States will use all means necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
• Enhancement of the strategic partnership with Israel to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. 
• Enhanced cooperation with Israel and key allies in the region to contain and roll back Iranian terror and violence.

At the same time, we remain committed to the JCRC’s role of educating the Jewish and greater Cincinnati communities on important issues facing the security of the Jewish people, both in the United States and Israel.  We will carry out this role by hosting an educational series on the Iranian deal with speakers representing a wide range of perspectives, including the Obama administration, Israeli Government, American Jewish Committee (AJC), American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. For more information, visit http://jewishcincinnati.org/iran-update. 

As American Jews, we are facing a profoundly difficult moment in history.  The risk of entering into the proposed nuclear agreement with Iran presents potentially devastating consequences for Israel, the United States and the world at large. We are fortunate to live in a community that promotes dialogue and unites around critical issues, such as this one.

Please consider contacting your Congressional leaders and urge them to oppose the current deal. Their contact information is below:   

SENATORS

Senator Rob Portman      Cincinnati Office 312 Walnut St., Suite 3075 Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: 513-684-3265 Washington, D.C. Office 448 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: 202-224-3353	Senator Sherrod Brown   Cincinnati Office 425 Walnut St., Suite 2310 Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: (513) 684-1021; Fax: (513) 684-1029 Washington, D.C. Office 713 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20510 Phone: (202) 224-2315; Fax: (202) 228-6321

REPRESENTATIVES

Representative  Steve Chabot   Cincinnati Office 441 Vine St., Rm. 3003 Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: (513) 684-2723; Fax: (513) 421-8722 Washington, D.C. Office 2371 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2216; Fax: (202) 225-3012 Office	Representative  Brad Wenstrup    Cincinnati Office 7954 Beechmont Ave, Suite 200 Cincinnati, OH 45255 Phone: (513) 474-7777; Fax: (513) 605-1377 Washington, D.C. Office 1223 Longworth H.O.B. Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-3164; Fax: (202) 225-1992
Speaker John Boehner Butler County Office 7969 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, Suite B West Chester, OH 45069 Phone: (513) 779-5400; Fax: (513) 779-5315 Washington D.C. Office 1011 Longworth H.O.B. Washington D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-6205; Fax: (202) 225-0704