ORTHODOX UNION LEADER RABBI STEVEN WEIL JOINS PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR SIGNING OF IRAN SANCTIONS ACT
Rabbi Steven Weil, Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union, was privileged to join President Barak Obama at yesterday’s White House signing of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act.
“We commend the president for his determination to thwart Iran’s pursuit of nuclear power,” declared Rabbi Weil. “The challenge we face in the next 90 days is to have language and regulations that are serious and that will be enforced by all branches of government.”
The invitation to Rabbi Weil to witness the signing of this Act, together with key senators, congressmen and other community leaders, was an unstated but implicit recognition of the Jewish community’s critical interest in this legislation, specifically as it affects Iran’s blatant threats regarding Israel.
According to President Obama, the new laws are the toughest sanctions against Iran ever passed by the United States Congress. The legislation seeks to target the Iranian government’s ability to further fund and develop its nuclear programs due to the Islamic Republic’s lack of compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The new laws also increase difficulty for the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and financial centers to continue support of Iran’s nuclear program and engagement in international finance.
The President stated, “We are showing the Iranian government that its actions have consequences. There should be no doubt—the United States and the international community are determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.”
The Orthodox Union, the nation’s largest umbrella organization of Orthodox synagogues and a global leader in kosher certification and teen outreach, is wholly committed to supporting Israel’s strength and security. Its Washington office, the OU Institute of Public Affairs, provides government officials with informative policy briefings, advocating legislative and regulatory initiatives, and coordinates grass-roots political activities.
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