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June 2, 2004
Orthodox
Union Applauds House Passage of Resolution to Stop Iran’s Pursuit
of Nuclear Weapons
The Union of
Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the nation’s largest
Orthodox Jewish synagogue organization, applauded the recent House
passage of H.Con.Res.398, a resolution authored by International
Relations Committee Chairman Henry Hyde (R-IL) and Ranking Member
Tom Lantos (D-CA) which calls upon all signatories of the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), including the United States, to
use all appropriate measures to prevent Iran from acquiring
nuclear weapons.
Among the rogue regimes in the Middle East, Iran remains the
foremost threat to the United States and Israel. Iran is
accelerating its efforts to acquire missiles and weapons of mass
destruction and is increasing its activities to support terrorist
attacks. Iran provides millions of dollars to the families of
suicide bombers and has set up organizations that recruit
terrorists. Iran remains the chief sponsors and financial backer
of the Palestinian terrorist organizations operating in the West
Bank and Gaza and supplies Hezbollah with advanced rockets,
including long range Katyusha rockets capable of striking deep
into Israel. In a recent report, the International Atomic Energy
Agency detailed eighteen years of deception by Iran which
concealed from the IAEA that is has been enriching uranium and
separating plutonium – activities whose sole purpose is to create
nuclear bombs. Iran has also been developing missiles that can
strike at any point in Israel and would be able to deliver
payloads of unconventional weapons.
The Orthodox Union applauds the House for passing H.Con.Res.398 by
an overwhelming majority, sending the important message that Iran
cannot continue to fund and coordinate terrorist activities and
organizations. As the Senate considers a similar bill,
S.Con.Res.81, introduced by Senators Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Dianne
Feinstein (D-CA), we look forward to its passage as well. We again
thank the Representatives for passing this important and timely
legislation and for their strong commitment to ensuring that Iran
does not obtain nuclear capabilities.
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