Time to ratchet up sanctions
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PrintChina, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council, announced earlier this week that now is not the right time for tougher sanctions on Iran.
As we shake our heads in disbelief, we demand to know from China just when will it be a good time for sanctions? When Iran has nuclear warheads?
Iran dismissed an end-of-the year deadline set by the Obama administration for a deal to export its uranium for enrichment, which would have ensured it could not be enriched to weapons-grade. The revelation of the Qom reactor in the base of a mountain has raised suspicions around the world — except in China, apparently — and compounds the difficulties of gathering intelligence on Iran’s nuclear installations.
The international community needs to act swiftly and strongly with sanctions; the alternatives are much more frightening. If sanctions fail, then we either must learn to live with a nuclear Iran and the fear that comes with it, or face an imminent military strike by the United States or Israel.
Israel’s military deterrence suffered another setback this week when an Iraqi newspaper reported that Iraq would seek help from the United Nations in pressuring Israel to pay damages for its 1981 attack on the Osirak reactor. Condemned by world opinion at the time, that attack is generally credited for preventing Iraq from attaining nuclear weapons ahead of the 1991 Persian Gulf conflict.
The whole world is safer because of Israel’s pre-emptive strike. Israel should be rewarded, not forced to pay damages.
Enough time has been expended in trying to find a diplomatic solution with Iran. Its President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad never misses an opportunity to flout international demands or flaunt his country’s nuclear program. He’s also flouting the will of his people, who are fighting to have their voices heard. We must press for tougher sanctions now while there is still time — and we must support the people of Iran as they struggle for freedom.
J.L.
Flag CommentRe your Jan. 7 editorial. Good editorial with one serious error. It is President Obama who made the end of the year deadline. It is President Obama who is ignoring his end of the year deadline. Did anyone seriously believe that Iran would behave differently???
I am attaching an unpublished letter which I sent the Jewish Standard in October 2009. My comments are still correct and timely.
Re your Oct. 2 editorial and articles on Iran.
What is the most important and necessary ingredient that Iran needs to develop its nuclear weapons? The answer is simple: Time. Negotiations, rallies, speeches, articles, and even sanctions all give Iran the luxury of time to create an apocalypse. In that sense, we are all complicit in allowing a rogue nation ruled by mad men (who believe that an apocalypse is necessary for the messiah to come) to develop its WMD.
The failed policy of “peace in our time” is attractive but it is unfortunately wrong. It did not work with Nazi Germany and it will not work with Iran. The big difference is that this war will be with nuclear weapons. Our choices, the world’s choices are not pleasant: Stop Iran now from developing nuclear weapons or engage in a nuclear war with Iran in the future. The second choice means the death of many, many more people.
Today, Iran is arming and supporting Hamas and Hasbollah, and arming and supporting our enemies in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, Iran is doing much more harm than threatening the world and Israel. Imagine the world with a nuclear Iran.
Many people were quoted in your cover story concerning the anti-Iran rally. I liked the one by Rabbi Claire Ginsburg-Goldstein. “I want a peaceful future for my children. Peace is worth fighting for. We have to show that we mean business.”
