February 24, 2000

The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the largest mainstream Orthodox Jewish organization with nearly 1,000 synagogues nationwide, today applauded the Senate’s unanimous passage of the Iran Non-Proliferation Act (H.R. 1883) by a 98-0 margin. This important legislation was sponsored by Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) and Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT), and was supported by Senators Joe Biden (D-DE), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Pete Domenici (R-NM), Harry Reid (D-NV), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and many others. The Iran Non-Proliferation Act is designed to help stop the flow of dangerous weapons technology from Russia to Iran. These technology transfers are used to provide that unstable regime with weapons of mass destruction, the means to deliver them, and are dangerous both to Israel and the United States.

Betty Ehrenberg, Director of International and Communal Affairs, said, "We are pleased with the Senate’s passage of H.R. 1883. Our country has learned from our sad experience with Sadaam Hussein during the 1980s when U.S. agricultural sales to Iraq were thought to encourage moderation yet ended up financing Iraq’s drive to develop weapons of mass destruction and did not prevent them from invading Kuwait.

This bill would require the President to report to Congress every six months on all foreign entities that have transferred to Iran technology that would help the Iranians enhance their advanced weapons capability. The President is also authorized to apply punitive measures to those same entities for having contributed to the Iranian weapons proliferation. The United States Senate deserves much praise for this important step that will send a strong message about the transfer of dangerous weapons and materials to Iran. This measure will help to bolster the stability and security of not only the Middle East but of other regions around the world."

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