World
New Obstacles
Israel and U.S. Jews intensify efforts to isolate Iran.
Photo by Israeli•weapons.com
Ron Kampeas
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Washington
A
renewed push from Jewish orga-
nizations for tougher sanctions
against Iran is facing tough obsta-
cles in Washington and capitals throughout
the world.
American Jewish groups are aggressively
attempting to rally support for isolating Iran
until it ends its suspected nuclear weapons
program. They are lobbying Congress, reach-
ing out to friendly nations overseas and
seeking allies in the United States.
Malcolm Hoenlein, the executive vice
chairman of the Conference of Presidents
of Major American Jewish Organizations, is
warning that Iran is close to acquiring the
knowledge it needs to build nuclear weap-
ons.
Officials at the Anti-Defamation League
have launched a campaign in support of
Israel's Arrow missiles
tougher sanctions and recently pressed the
issue in a meeting in Moscow with Russian
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
lead negotiator in the U.S.-Israel strategic
Also, the American Jewish Committee has
dialogue, said the need to isolate Iran had
been meeting with foreign leaders, including increased urgency. He pointed to Iranian
French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's
In the latest manifestation of the renewed
announcement that his country is now
push, delegates to the General Assembly of
operating 3,000 centrifuges — the number
the United Jewish Communities in Nashville required to enrich bomb-grade uranium.
passed a resolution calling on federations
The Israeli minister wants the U.N.
and Jewish community relations councils to
Security Council to issue a third set of
move on the Iran issue by initiating, coordi-
sanctions targeting Iran, ones that would
nating and funding "expanded efforts aimed effectively cripple the Iranian economy. Two
at both educating and mobilizing the Jewish
earlier sets, targeting individuals and some
community as well as partnering with other
companies, have not yet had an appreciable
respected members in the broader com-
impact.
munity."
Mofaz emerged from his meeting in
The resolution calls on federations to
Washington with a U.S. pledge to set up two
reach out to "elected officials, civic and reli-
task forces — one to promote Iran sanctions
gious groups, labor unions and think tanks,
and the other to share intelligence on Iran.
academics and student groups, human
Efforts by American Jewish groups would
rights organizations and business associa-
get a boost from legislation passed this year
tions."
in the U.S. House of Representatives and
This new push comes as Israeli and Jewish under consideration in the Senate.
organizational leaders say stopping Iran's
The bills, initiated by U.S. Rep. Barney
nuclear program is a life-and-death issue
Frank, D-Mass., and U.S. Sen. Barack
that must be addressed now.
Obama, Dill., would assist civil society
"There is a civilian program, a secret
groups seeking to divest from Iran by pub-
weapons program; and Iran is expand-
licizing companies with investments in Iran
ing its ballistic missile power:' Israeli
and providing tort protections from inves-
Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz told
tors.
reporters.
Another measure approved by the House
Mofaz, who is serving as Jerusalem's
and awaiting action in the Senate essentially
A28
November 22 • 2007
would criminalize dealings with any
individual or entity that deals with
Iran's energy sector. Such a measure
would severely restrict Iranian busi-
ness in a world financial system that
at some point runs the bulk of its
transactions through U.S. financial
institutions.
The push for additional U.S. and
U.N. sanctions are facing tough obsta-
cles.
In Washington, the Bush adminis-
tration opposes the bills making their
way through Congress, in large part
because the White House opposes any
infringement on its powers.
In Europe and elsewhere, influential
countries deeply involved in Iran's con-
sumer markets — including Germany,
Italy, Russia and China — want time
to disentangle thousands of businesses
that trade with Iran before plunging
into sanctions.
Jewish organizational leaders met
not long ago with German Chancellor
Angela , but failed to persuade her to
pressure businesses in her country to pull
out of Iran. German officials believe that
divesting from Iran will take years.
In addition to questions over how rapidly
sanctions could be adopted and imple-
mented, several prominent lawmakers and
world leaders are stepping up calls for a
different approach: comprehensive negotia-
tions between Iran and the United States on
a range of issues. Among those calling for
an immediate diplomatic push are Obama, a
Democratic presidential candidate, and Sen.
Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., as well as.
Israeli officials and some American Jewish
organizational leaders say the Iranians
would simply use negotiations as a tactic for
buying time; and with Iran close to obtain-
ing the know-how needed to build a nuclear
weapon, such delays cannot be tolerated.
According to this view, only a significantly
tougher set of American and international
sanctions will convince Iran to abandon its
nuclear ambitions.
Hoenlein said that as soon as Iran devel-
ops a nuclear capacity, even if it does not
immediately manufacture a bomb, the
Middle East configuration changes.
"Once you have the technical obstacles
overcome he said, "the intimidation is
already there and Iran's backing of terror-
ists in the region will increase. II
Recycle Electronics
Great Lakes Electronics
Corporation has teamed up with
Temple Kol Ami to host a consum-
er electronics recycling drive to
collect electronic waste (e-Waste)
free of charge.
E-Waste from old and unwanted
consumer electronics, such as
computers, monitors, printers,
cell phones, televisions, VCRs and
video game consoles, has rapidly
become one of the nation's most
significant environmental prob-
lems.
Environmental issues caused by
hazardous amounts of toxic heavy
metals, including lead, cadmium
and mercury, make it critical to
keep these materials out of land-
fills and incinerators.
Great Lakes Electronics con-
sumer electronics recycling
drive with Temple Kol Ami will
take place noon-4 p.m. Sunday,
Dec. 2. Staffed collection trucks
will be stationed at the temple,
5085 Walnut Lake Road, West
Bloomfield.
Identity theft has become
the fastest increasing crime in
America. Great Lakes Electronics
offer state-of-the-art security
destruction. Memory devices such
as computer hard drives will be
accepted at the event and shredded
at Great Lakes Electronics' Detroit
facility. Shredding the hard drive
destroys all data in security com-
pliance with the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act
(HIPAA), Fair and Accurate Credit
Transactions Act (FACTA) and
Department of Defense require-
ments.
Electronics to be accepted at
Temple Kol Ami's recycling drive
include computers, cell phones,
palm pilots, telephone equip-
ment, televisions, VCRs and other
small electronics and household
appliances (under 100 pounds)
Refrigerators and air conditioning
units will not be accepted.
Information can be obtained by
calling (313) 838-7000 or by visit-
ing www.recycleelectronics.com .