Leaders of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County and its Jewish Community Relations Council released the following statement today regarding the Geneva talks, and the presentation of evidence of Iran’s clandestine nuclear enrichment facility at Qom to the International Atomic Energy Agency:

“The discovery of this Iranian secret nuclear plant is yet another example of Iran’s deception and should be a wake-up call to all those who believe that Iran’s nuclear intentions are anything but benign.  Iran’s irresponsible behavior constitutes an unacceptable threat to global peace and security.

It is no longer deniable to anyone that Iran is in blatant violation of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.  The Iranian regime has proven yet again that it cannot be trusted. So much so that China and Russia may join the U.S., France, Great Britain and Germany in pressuring Iran with sanctions for compliance. 

Iran’s reported agreement in Geneva today to participate in additional talks and allow inspectors into the newly disclosed Qom facility may seem encouraging, but there have been many disappointments and broken promises in the past.  We caution our community not to take these words at face value, and we will be following the progress on these next steps very carefully.  Actions, not words, will demonstrate the real extent of Iran’s cooperation and whether it will be held accountable to international law. Clearly we are at a defining moment in our efforts to stop Iran. And time is of the essence.

Our Federation remains at the very forefront of these efforts to stop Iran.  We have worked collectively with our Jewish community to form the Stop Iran Initiative, which has challenged our government – and all governments – to confront the danger that Iran poses and to expose the virulent anti-Semitism that Iran’s Holocaust denying, immoral leader presents to the world.

Our Federation was one of three Federations nationwide to launch United Against Nuclear Iran two years ago. UANI is a non-partisan broad-based coalition committed to preventing Iran from possessing nuclear weapons. Our Federation allocated $30,000 to UANI at its inception. Since then, it has grown tremendously, garnering considerable influence and motivating both individuals and businesses to withdraw any economic benefit to the Iranian regime. 

We also are proud of the groundbreaking leadership our community’s elected officials have provided on this issue. Senator Bill Nelson and Congressmen Alcee Hastings, Robert Wexler and Ron Klein are among the co-sponsors of the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act which is now making its way through Congress.

With strong bipartisan support from our delegation and the entire legislature, State Senator Ted Deutch and Representative Adam Hasner introduced and shepherded through the Protecting Florida’s Investments Act in 2007, making Florida the first state in the nation to pass an Iran divestment law.

Clearly we are a strong, united Jewish community which is making real progress in the world.”

For more information and action steps, please visit the JCRC’s web page on Iran at www.jewishboca.org/jcrc  and click below to view our updated Take Action! Stop a Nuclear Iran Flyer at http://www.jewishboca.org/clientuploads/jcrc/101237446%20Iran%20Webinar%20eblast.pdf

B'Shalom,

Stewart G. Harris

Chair, Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County

William S. Bernstein, MSW

President and CEO, Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County   

Rabbi David Steinhardt

Chair, Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)

Kelley Whiter, Esq.

Director, JCRC