The Iran deal currently in the news is one of the most significant issues to face Israel, but I will not be speaking about it on the High Holidays or Shabbat. Right now, this issue is dividing Jews throughout this country, and I believe that we need to work toward finding ways to come together to love and support Israel, and for this love and support to cross religious denominational and American political boundaries. While I have opinions on the Iran deal that I will share in this article, I also have great respect for those that disagree with me and a profound desire to create a sacred space at our synagogue that brings us together as much as possible.
One of the most important pieces of United States foreign policy will soon be under review by the United States Congress. {mprestriction ids="1,3"}The “Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action” or JCPOA, also known as the “Iran deal” is the result of a long negotiation between the P5+1 (the members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) and the Islamic Republic of Iran. In short this agreement is to radically reduce the number of nuclear centrifuges held by Iran in exchange for the immediate lifting of international economic sanctions. Similar to a treaty, and unlike regular trade agreements, the Congress has the ability to approve or reject this deal because of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review of 2015 act supported by members of Congress from both parties and signed by President Barack Obama. As with any legislation that comes before Congress, I feel that it is justified and appropriate for American citizens to lobby and communicate with their legislators articulating their views.
I applaud the hard work by President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry for their pursuit of this deal. I believe that it was done with the full intention of, as our Talmud states, to “Be like Aaron the High Priest — a lover of peace and a pursuer of peace.”
Though the goals in pursuing this agreement are admirable, I am unable to support this particular deal. The hope of short term peace is not worth pursuing if it will lead to far greater danger in the long term. It has taken me a while to arrive at this conclusion, and I have read a great deal about this agreement. I truly believe that it is one of the most confusing and challenging pieces of legislation. Because so much of its success or failure lies in the decisions that Iran will make down the road, and it is impossible to predict the future, most opinion writing (including my own) are based on what people think (or hope) the years ahead could hold.
I feel that that it is entirely possible to have the best interests of the United States in mind, and the best interests of Israel in mind, and still come to the opposite conclusion than I have. Ultimately, though, I feel that this deal is seriously flawed and has the potential to put Israel in graver danger than if the world continues to negotiate for more protection. Opposition to this deal comes from members of both the Democratic and Republican parties. Furthermore, despite what you may read in the media — it is not only Prime Minister Netanyahu who opposes this deal, but both Israel’s politically left and right parties.
Personally, I do not trust the government of Iran, and I do not feel that there are enough safeguards in place in this JCPOA deal to ensure that Iran will be prevented from developing nuclear weapons at secret sites. Also, I do not feel that there are enough precautions for what will happen after the first 10-15 years articulated in this deal. With this deal, I fear that in a decade and a half we will see an Iran with stronger nuclear centrifuges, that has become an economic powerhouse, and will be an even stronger military presence in the Middle East than it already is.
Furthermore, Iran is a state whose leaders have expressly articulated that they are committed to the destruction of the Jewish State of Israel, who explicitly deny the Holocaust, who fund terrorist organizations, and who have been linked to terrorist activities against Jews and Israelis in Bulgaria and Argentina amongst other places on the globe.
I understand the grave threats if this deal is rejected and the P5+1 and Iran are not able to secure a stronger deal. However, I cannot in good conscience support an agreement that opens the door for Iran to become even stronger down the road with even stronger possible nuclear capabilities. If this happens it would be a foreign policy failure for the United States, but an existential threat for Israel. For these reasons, I will be urging my legislators to vote against this deal.
Though I have spoken about U.S. policy vis a vis Israel, and vis a vis Iran in the past — I will not do so leading up to these High Holidays, or on the High Holidays themselves. Instead, we will be using the Shabbat mornings approaching Rosh Hashanah to prepare ourselves spiritually for these Days of Awe, and when I speak about Israel on Kol Nidre it will be about the broadest emotional issues facing Israel as the embodiment of the dream of the Jewish people, and not specifically the Iran deal.
I have decided not to use the Shabbat and holiday “drasha” times to speak on Iran for two main reasons.
The first is my recognition that there are many congregants who I respect who hold opposite views on this issue. I am seeking to find a way to articulate my views in this article, while still allowing the sanctuary to be a place of emotional and spiritual uplift for all.
Secondly, I have been troubled by the level of vitriol in the Jewish community surrounding this debate. I do not look at the president or his supporters as “appeasers” or “naïve;” and I do not see myself, or those that oppose this deal as “war-mongers.” I believe that the world is in a very delicate place with a very dangerous regime, and intelligent people can read history and imagine the future in very different ways. Though I have strong opinions on the Iran deal, I respect those with whom I disagree and don’t want to be perceived as wading into mudslinging from the pulpit.
So, in the coming weeks I will send one or two curated emails to Beth Shalom members that highlight what I think are some of the most thoughtful pieces of writing in favor of and opposing the Iran deal. I think that we as a Jewish community have an obligation to be informed about what is going on during these challenging times.
Finally, regardless of whether this deal is passed or is rejected, if it fails or succeeds — there will be a day after, and we must continue to find ways to ever grow as a people and continue to have positive relations with one another, with our elected officials, and with the State of Israel. Regardless of where you stand on this important issue, I hope that in the coming weeks you take time to learn about it in a thoughtful and reflective way — try to discuss it with your family and friends, try to learn from other perspectives, and communicate with your elected officials about what your own views are at this important time.
Rabbi David Glickman is rabbi at Congregation Beth Shalom.{/mprestriction}