Spring Break
Send Iran, and Congress, a peaceful message
Reuben A. Ingber
Issue date: 9/4/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Imagine waking up one day to learn that nuclear war has enveloped the
Middle East.
Iran has launched several nuclear weapons at Israel. Tel-Aviv and
Jerusalem no longer exist, and the international community grapples
with the guilt of having done nothing to prevent this conflict.
That is the worst-case scenario, but such a situation can be prevented.
The international community can use peaceful means -economic,
diplomatic, and political - to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear
weapons.
If Iran does acquire a nuclear weapon, it would be a credible threat
to the U.S., Europe and Israel, since Iran told the world last year
that it intends to 'wipe
Israel off the face of the map.'
How much time until Iran can produce nuclear warheads? That is the
question at hand.
In fact, time is running out: The International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) says Iran may already be enriching uranium at the level
necessary to build nuclear bombs.
Enforcing current U.N. Sanctions -- as well as imposing further
sanctions, if necessary --are what the U.S. and its allies can do to
avoid a devastating conflict that would likely involve a nuclear attack.
If Iran continues to develop nuclear weaponry, the international
community should strengthen current sanctions by
adopting a ban on arms sales, foreign investment and export credit to
Iran, while making it illegal to purchase Iranian oil.
Unilaterally, the U.S. can pass the Iran Counter-Proliferation Act,
which seeks to close loopholes in existing sanctions laws, strengthen
U.S. tools to cut off funds to Iran's nuclear program, and prohibit
U.S. nuclear cooperation with those aiding Iran's atomic efforts.
To further help change the course for Iran, the international community
must exhaust every tool - economic, diplomatic, and political - to
isolate Iran. Such actions send a peaceful message to Iran's leaders
that nuclear aggression is in the best interest of no one. Please write
to your members of congress.
--Reuben A. Ingber, founder of the Great Danes for Israel, a bi-partisan
pro-Israel group on campus.
Middle East.
Iran has launched several nuclear weapons at Israel. Tel-Aviv and
Jerusalem no longer exist, and the international community grapples
with the guilt of having done nothing to prevent this conflict.
That is the worst-case scenario, but such a situation can be prevented.
The international community can use peaceful means -economic,
diplomatic, and political - to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear
weapons.
If Iran does acquire a nuclear weapon, it would be a credible threat
to the U.S., Europe and Israel, since Iran told the world last year
that it intends to 'wipe
Israel off the face of the map.'
How much time until Iran can produce nuclear warheads? That is the
question at hand.
In fact, time is running out: The International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) says Iran may already be enriching uranium at the level
necessary to build nuclear bombs.
Enforcing current U.N. Sanctions -- as well as imposing further
sanctions, if necessary --are what the U.S. and its allies can do to
avoid a devastating conflict that would likely involve a nuclear attack.
If Iran continues to develop nuclear weaponry, the international
community should strengthen current sanctions by
adopting a ban on arms sales, foreign investment and export credit to
Iran, while making it illegal to purchase Iranian oil.
Unilaterally, the U.S. can pass the Iran Counter-Proliferation Act,
which seeks to close loopholes in existing sanctions laws, strengthen
U.S. tools to cut off funds to Iran's nuclear program, and prohibit
U.S. nuclear cooperation with those aiding Iran's atomic efforts.
To further help change the course for Iran, the international community
must exhaust every tool - economic, diplomatic, and political - to
isolate Iran. Such actions send a peaceful message to Iran's leaders
that nuclear aggression is in the best interest of no one. Please write
to your members of congress.
--Reuben A. Ingber, founder of the Great Danes for Israel, a bi-partisan
pro-Israel group on campus.
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