Whereas the Rabbinical Assembly passed resolutions in 2007, 2008, and 2010, expressing our concern over the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran;
Whereas the regime of Iran, and in particular its President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and its religious leadership including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini, unapologetically have demonstrated anti-Semitism repeatedly, publically and shamelessly and have called for the destruction of the State of Israel;
Whereas Iran funds and provides material support for Hamas, Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations around the world, threatening to leverage these groups’ hatred against Israel into a direct, on-the-border threat;
Whereas the international intelligence community has acknowledged Iranian attempts at violence, assassination, and terrorism on Jewish and other targets worldwide;
Whereas a nuclear-equipped Iran would present a threat to the stability and security of not only the entire Middle East, but also the world – a fear expressed by neighboring Arab nations as well as Israel and the United States;
Whereas the leadership of Iran repeatedly has rejected international efforts at monitoring nuclear sites (including those of the IAEA), preferring instead to thwart inspectors and international bodies even as it moves ever-closer to nuclear capability;
Whereas the Rabbinical Assembly commends those nations who have supported efforts against Iran – and in particular notes recent strong statements by the United States Congress such as Senate Resolution 380 and House Resolution 568, which call for the prevention of a nuclear-capable Iran;
Whereas the Rabbinical Assembly has endorsed the international community’s increasingly strong economic sanctions in recent years, and while these sanctions have sent a strong message of isolating the Iranian regime, they have not succeeded in preventing Iran’s march toward nuclear capability; and
Whereas reports indicate that Iran is coming very close to being a full-fledged nuclear power, with the “point of no return” in its technological advance only months away.
Therefore be it resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly reaffirm its prior resolutions calling on the international community to impose serious sanctions on Iran – and commends those nations and governments that have supported efforts against Iran (most notably the United States);
Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly honor and respect the right of the State of Israel to act as it sees fit, as an autonomous nation imbued with the right to self-defense and the protection of its borders and citizens against this overt existential threat;
Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly and its members urge the President and Congress of the United States, the Prime Minister and Parliament of Canada, and governmental officials of all nations of the international community where Rabbinical Assembly members reside, to use every effort to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capability and to refrain from criticizing Israel for doing the same;
Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly and its members call upon all nations, the United Nations and international agencies to continue to act forcefully to impose (and not undermine) crippling sanctions and to take every necessary action to prevent Iran from becoming a full-fledged nuclear power; and
Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly urge its members residing in the United States to contact their Senators and Representatives to cosponsor or at least support Senate Resolution 380 and House Resolution 568, which call for the prevention of a nuclear-capable Iran.
Passed by the Rabbinical Assembly Plenum, May, 2012