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Essay

Editorial

Nuclear Restraint

Working to assure Iran can't build an atomic bomb.

M

idway through his politically charged
speech to a joint session of the U.S.
Congress, an address that caused plenty
of fissures in Washington last week, Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu crystallized his mes-
sage: That "Iran still refuses to come clean about its
military nuclear program:'
Consequently, Iran — a state spon-
sor of terror and an advocate of Israel's
1111,1""P
destruction — can't be trusted to comply
with any compromise agreement over its
uranium enrichment capabilities.
In a revealing Feb. 19 report, the
United Nations atomic watchdog, the
International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA), "further corroborated" that
Iran "has carried out activities that are
relevant to the development of a nuclear
explosive device" even as it limits testing
of its uranium refinement capacities.
Plainly put, it appears Iran is defiantly
pursuing nuclear weapons despite ongo-
ing talks over its nuclear ambitions with the P5+1
world powers: America, Britain, France, Russia,
China and Germany.
As President Barack Obama and Netanyahu spar
over the quality of a political framework agreement
initiated by the P5+1 to limit Iran's nuclear activi-
ties while keeping much of its nuclear threshold
infrastructure intact, the IAEA report must com-
mand world attention. It contains essential informa-
tion that must be weighed before the framework
agreement's March 24 preliminary deadline.

Alarm Bells
The Virginia-based conservative news source
CNSNews.com indicates that Iran continues to deny
inspectors access to a key suspect site, Parchin, a
military site near Tehran, the Iranian capital.
Denial implies intentional disguising and hiding
of what's happening there in violation of a 2010
U.N. Security Council directive. The U.S. fears high
explosive components for an atomic bomb are being
tested there.
The IAEA specifically sent up a red flag over
Iranian "activities related to the development of a
nuclear payload for a missile." Such
a ballistic missile, with a range of
800 miles, not only could put Israel
in its sightlines, but also could tar-
get U.S. forces in the Arabian Gulf.
At issue is Iran's contention that
its nuclear program is civilian driv-
en. P5+1 concerns spotlight Iran's
possible (and likely) military appli-
Benjamin
cation of nuclear technologies.
Netanyahu
Netanyahu's March 3 reference
to Iran not coming clean augurs
poorly for a 2013 accord known as the Joint Plan of
Action between the P5+1 and Iran. That plan sets
forth how Iran would resolve questions about "the
possible military dimension" of its nuclear pro-

18

March 12 • 2015

gram, including activities at Parchin. The U.S. State
Department has stated its intention to crack down
on "any potential weaponization" during develop-
ment of a final P5+1-Iran agreement, triggering
the obvious question, "Why not now?" For its part,
Iran has pledged to cooperate — while fueling sus-
picions.

Staying Focused
The IAEA document allays concerns that
Iran might be violating the Joint Plan of
Action by ramping up testing of refined
uranium, not just continuing existing
nuclear work, Reuters reported.
Despite that IAEA impression, it's wise
to heed what Netanyahu, favoring tougher
sanctions immediately against Iran, told
Congress: "Right now, Iran could be hid-
ing nuclear facilities that we don't know
about — the U.S. and Israel. As the for-
mer head of inspections for the IAEA said
in 2013, 'If there's no undeclared instal-
lation today in Iran, it will be the first time in 20
years that it doesn't have one Iran has proven time
and again that it cannot be trusted:'
The prime minister added, "And that's why the
first major concession is a source of great concern.
It leaves Iran with a vast nuclear infrastructure and

Iran — a state sponsor
of terror and an advocate
of Israel's destruction —
can't be trusted.

relies on inspectors to prevent a breakout. That con-
cession creates a real danger that Iran could get to
the bomb by violating the deal."
Netanyahu also questioned the supposed auto-
matic 10-year lifting of restrictions on Iran's nuclear
program. "It's the blink of an eye in the life of a
nation," he said.
He noted, "We all have a responsibility to consider
what will happen when Iran's nuclear capabilities
are virtually unrestricted and all
the sanctions will have been lifted:'
From the White House after
Netanyahu's speech, Obama said
Iran has frozen its nuclear program
amid negotiations and "rolled back
some of its most dangerous highly
enriched uranium, and subjected
Barack Obama itself to the kinds of verifications
and inspections that we had not
previously seen:'
Obama called on Congress and Netanyahu to

Nuclear Restraint on page 19

Jewish State
Lifts Quality Of
Palestinian Lives

I

sraeli Arabs typically enjoy access to better pay
and working conditions than Arabs in neighbor-
ing lands. Similarly, Palestinian Arabs who work
in Israel or Israeli settlements earn more than those
who don't.
A new study reveals that Palestinians who work
in Israel or Israeli settlements are paid more than
double the wage of Palestinians working in the
Palestinian Authority (P.A.)-controlled areas of the
West Bank. The results underscore a living wage is
only one benefit awaiting Palestinians who choose to
associate with, rather than disparage, Israeli Jews.
According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of
Statistics, a Ramallah-authorized government agen-
cy, the average daily wage for Palestinians working
in Israel or Israeli settlements was 194.2 shekels
($48.97) during the fourth quarter of 2014 while
Palestinians working within the P.A. earned only 91.4
shekels ($23.05) daily.
The earning disparity is even starker for
Palestinians living in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
Israel-based Palestinian Media Watch (PMW)
reported the survey findings. The European
Union funded the survey, giving it credence. Last
September, PMW reported how the official P.A. daily,
Al Hayat Al Jadida, showed the courage to praise
Israeli employers for their ethical treatment of
Palestinian employees.
In its coverage, the newspaper found Palestinian
workers jump at the chance to quit local jobs and go
to work for Israelis in pursuit of higher wages and
stronger rights. Israeli work conditions were found
to be "very good" – including transportation (an
obvious benefit to get workers from and back home)
and also the wildly attractive offerings of medical
insurance and pensions.
PMW reports that of the more than 2.6 million
Palestinians living in the West Bank, more than
105,000 worked for Israelis at the end of 2014. More
than 20,000 of those jobs were in Israeli settle-
ments. About a quarter of the Palestinian workforce
was jobless, a whopping 26.5 percent. That contrasts
with America's January 2015 jobless rate of 5.7,
according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The
same rate in Israel was 5.6, according to the Central
Bureau of Statistics there.
Significantly, the highest unemployment rate
among Palestinians is among young adults ages
20-24, almost half of whom don't work. It's this
highly impressionable group, which blames Israel for
much of its woes, that's especially vulnerable to ter-
rorist influences.
To protect their corrupt interests, and a reflection
of their lesser economy, Palestinian leaders don't
seem inclined to share the openness of their official
newspaper when it comes to the higher quality of
life enjoyed by their citizens lucky enough to work
for Israelis. ❑

