Summary of
STOP IRAN NOW CAMPAIGN: A METROWEST ACTION STRATEGY

PREAMBLE
The Islamic Republic of Iran poses one of the greatest national security threats to the United States and its allies. The Iranian regime tops the list of state sponsors of terrorism, is pursuing nuclear weapons in defiance of the international community, repeatedly calls for the destruction of another state, and has one of the worst human right’s records – regularly repressing the rights of union leaders, women, students, and homosexuals.

Until recently, the U.S. has taken a strong position on the issue of Iran’s weaponry build-up. However, on Dec. 3, the National Intelligence Estimate issued a report by 16 American intelligence agencies that concluded with a high degree of confidence that Iran had halted its nuclear program in 2003. This report has rapidly changed both international strategy negotiations as well as the domestic debate on handling Iran.

Despite this report, further articles and experts have said that the new National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) actually reinforces the danger posed by Iran’s continuing pursuit of the ability to make nuclear weapons. The NIE confirms that Iran has pursued nuclear weapons and is continuing key nuclear activities needed to produce atomic arms. The NIE confirms that Iran’s nuclear program, including uranium enrichment, the key process needed to produce the fuel for nuclear weapons, is continuing and the NIE only assesses with “moderate confidence” that Iran has not restarted its weapons program. In addition, the report does not reveal the status of the weapons program at the time it was halted nor indicate that the program was dismantled. Neither does the NIE conclude definitively that the Iranian leadership “is willing to maintain the halt of its nuclear weapons program indefinitely.”

We still believe that Iran remains a grave threat to the Unites States, Israel, Europe, and any long term stability in the Middle East. Tehran’s nuclear program was merely stalled, according to the NIE, and can and will be restarted at any time. Combined with its nuclear efforts, long-range missile and warhead development programs, and consistent funding of terror organizations, we must remain on our toes at all times. Moreover, Iran continues to limit opposition by its own people, particularly labor unions, student leaders, and women’s rights advocates.

There are challenges to taking on this issue in the current political climate. The ongoing war in Iraq is having an effect on the American public, who prefer to believe that the Iranian threat may be an exaggeration. In particular, the intelligence reports which were the basis of the war in Iraq have made people cautious about believing intelligence reports about a potential Iranian nuclear threat, as the basis of military action against Iran.

The United States favors a strengthening of economic sanctions as a way to weaken the Iranian economy and the regime. Congress voted to close loopholes on previous sanction legislation on Iran and is encouraging states to pass their own legislation on divestment. (Some of this legislation is still awaiting approval in the Senate.) Many state and local governments, including the State of New Jersey, are voting to divest their pension funds from companies doing business with Iran’s energy sector. It is possible that economic pressure may bring about an opportunity for diplomacy in the future. Below is a proposed blueprint for the MetroWest community to take action.

The aim is to insure that international economic and political pressure on the Iranian government will create systemic change to curb their weapons program, stop their human rights violations, end funding of terrorist organizations, and open the way for diplomacy.

ACTION STRATEGY
The Stop Iran Now Campaign is a true “think globally, act locally” initiative.

The following is an outline of a five-point strategy that we can undertake in our community and in concert with others, statewide.

1. Divestment – Economic sanctions are having an impact on the Iranian regime. Some argue that the pressure it has put on the economy is causing problems in a country facing serious issues of inflation, unemployment, and a growing young population. In June 2007, United Jewish Communities (UJC) of MetroWest NJ and the Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) of MetroWest NJ passed resolutions and have since divested their holdings from any companies doing business with Iran’s energy sector. The next step is to create an action plan to urge both individuals and companies working in the energy sector to divest.
2. Speakers Series – Organize a distinguished speakers series with non-Jewish organizations such as academic institutions, foundations, women’s groups, and labor groups in our area. The series will be aimed at educating non-Jewish audiences and at building a policy platform with cohorts from which to create a coalition and advocate on Iran’s human rights abuses and its nuclear build-up. Recent American history demonstrates that sanctions cannot work alone. We must learn from those invited academics and policy speakers of other tools at our disposal that can effectively implement change and thereby weaken the Iranian threat to Israel and the region.
3. Make Iran a Priority Issue during the Presidential Campaigns – Insuring that Iran remains a priority issue during the 2008 presidential and congressional campaigns is imperative. In order to insure that the U.S. continues to strongly pressure the UN to implement sanctions against Iran, and that the International Atomic Energy Agency insures that Iran reports regularly, we must keep the issue in the forefront of the presidential and congressional campaigns.
4. Advocate for legislation that calls for tough sanctions on Iran at the national, state, and local level.
5. Create a Statewide broad-based “Stop Iran Coalition” – In cooperation with the N.J. State Association of Jewish Federations and its constituent members, CRC will work towards the creation of this broad-based inter-faith, inter-ethnic body. Recognizing that this issue is not one concerning Jews alone, we must pursue partners who can help us implement these policies.