Editor's Letter
Iran's Ticking Bomb
I
ran will produce a nuclear bomb within the next few
years. And the Jewish community must stay vigilant
because of who will control the Iranian levers of atomic
energy: the Revolutionary Guard. The Guard works with the
ruling clerics to secure the revolution and enforce the govern-
ment's Islamic codes and morals. It considers Israel a cancer-
ous growth that must be excised.
Such incitement is in lockstep
with Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, who yearns to hide
his hatred for Jews by condemning
Zionism instead. He views Israel as
"filthy bacteria."
About 11/2 years ago, PBS' McNeal/
Lehrer News Hour aired the tape of a
private meeting at which Ahmadinejad
spoke of the second coming of
Shiite Muslims' "hidden" 12th Imam,
the Mandi, whom Shiites consider
descended from the Prophet Mohammed. Mandi disappeared
in 941, but will return at the end of time to lead an era of
Islamic justice, according to believers.
And when this happens, Shiite Islam will triumph:' said
University of Denver Professor Jonathan Adelman, who saw
that McNeal/Lehrer expose.
Adelman spoke several times Feb. 26-28 in Metro Detroit
on behalf of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee
(AIPAC). His assessment was insightful and mind bending.
So the West's concern is not so much Communism as prac-
ticed by Russia or China, but Shiite fundamentalism,
the kind brewed in Iran, of all places. From ancient
times till the 1979 revolution, Persian leaders were
friendly to the Jewish people. Heck, Mossad
helped fortify Iran's army under the Shah. But
lest we forget: Friends have spurned us before.
Think Spain in 1492 and Germany under Hitler.
The Central Idea
Adelman's core message is important: Were it a
matter of one more nation acquiring nuclear weap-
onry, like India and Pakistan did in 1998, Israel's military
superiority would be a sufficient deterrent. But in the case of
Iran, the mullahs would gladly sacrifice lives from a Zionist
counter assault if their bomb attack ultimately could destroy
Israel.
"We are not dealing with a think tank with people who have
Ph.Ds," said Adelman, a professor in the University of Denver
Graduate School of International Studies. "We are dealing
with a creed that believes it has the absolute truth — that
the Jews and Israel have no right to exist in the center of the
Middle East."
In direct violation of previous U.N. resolutions, Iran
continues to chalk up nuclear enrichment and technologi-
cal warfare advances, both pivotal in the capture of atomic
arms.
As Jews, we must understand that Iranian fundamental-
ists believe they are winning. When they insist Hezbollah, the
Iranian-funded terrorist group in Lebanon, will crush Israel,
we'd be fools to respond obliquely. Iran's spreading imprint
already demarcates terrorists in Gaza, Iraq, Syria, Egypt,
Jordan and Afghanistan, Adelman warns.
"Islamic fundamentalism is on the march:' he said. "And
it is on the march for a very simple reason: the tremendous
failure of the corrupt, repressive regimes in the region that
cannot provide jobs — that cannot prove a meaningful life
for the masses of poor people."
Julie erizberg
A Real Target
Iranian fundamentalists have repositioned Israel from the
wings 30 years ago to center stage in their pursuit of Middle
East dominance. Once Iran possesses one atomic bomb, it
will be primed to expand its nuclear arsenal. The $50 billion a
year it takes.in from exported oil will more than fund acquisi-
tion of more atomic firepower — through development or
purchase.
Remember: Israel is tiny, just 8,000 square miles and 7.2
million people. Seventy percent of Israel's 5.4 million Jews
live in four cities: Jerusalem, Haifa, Tel Aviv and Beer Sheva.
"One atomic bomb could destroy the state Adelman said.
"One bomb hitting Tel Aviv could kill 300,000 to 500,000
people."
Like Adelman, I think individual and bilateral sanctions on
Iran so far have had no sustained effect. America and other
major powers like the European Union, Russia and China
especially hold the key to tougher economic sanctions on
businesses that essentially
— underwrite Iran's energy
and military sectors, the
Islamic Republic's nerve
The civilized world
can start by not buying
Iranian oil. Such global pressure
would be felt where it could reso-
nate the most: at the Central Bank of
Iran. Oil represents 80 percent of Iran's
exports; and oil sales contribute 40 per-
cent of the Iranian budget. We must slow
that flow.
Still, I applaud the March 3 passage of a
U.N. Security Council resolution imposing
stricter economic, travel and trade sanctions
on Iran and demanding that it stop its quest to
build an atomic bomb. This third U.N. resolution
could actually help. For the first time, a resolution authorizes
inspection of shipments, going in and out of Iran by sea and
air, to look for banned dual-use materials that could have a
military application. The resolution also asks nations to limit
trade, travel and banking relationships with Iran.
For their part, Americans must engage public opinion, sway
Congress and compel the new administration to push Iran up
on the nation's international agenda. The reason is clear: U.S.
and allied interests are at stake.
Grassroots organizing on American soil seems crucial to
the cause. "Positive change can come to the Middle East:'
Adelman said. "But until then, we need to organize. We need
to do what we can here in the Land of Promise to help the
Promised Land survive." ❑
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March 13 . 2008
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