A group of 98 prominent members of the Jewish community in Los Angeles -- most of whom have close ties to Hollywood -- signed an open letter supporting the proposed nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers led by the United States.
According to an article written by Seth Abramovitch at The Hollywood Reporter's website, a full-page advertisement that appeared in Thursday's edition of the city's Jewish Journal calls for Congress to approve the agreement since it “is in the best interests of the United States and Israel.”
The organization behind the open letter and display advertisement identifies itself as “American Jewish Supporters of Israel” and stated:
We appreciate that many have reasonable concerns about the risks of a complex nuclear weapons development agreement with an untrustworthy adversary like Iran.
We too hold these concerns, but the deal that was reached is not founded on trust; it is grounded in rigorous inspections and monitoring."
Abramovitch stated: “The letter warns that killing the deal, as many Republican lawmakers have pledged to do -- and even one Democrat, New York senator Chuck Schumer, considered one of Congress's most influential Jewish voices -- would be a tragic mistake.”
“We are united in saying that the negotiated deal on balance is good, that any available alternatives are worse,” the letter stated.
The missive also noted:
We strongly encourage Congress to approve the proposed Iran nuclear agreement. For far too long, Iran was actively developing and expanding its nuclear infrastructure, closing the gap to a nuclear weapon.
This agreement, negotiated by the United States, China, France, Germany, Great Britain and Russia, halts and rolls back this dangerous march through verifiable and measured steps.
Among the lead signatories are billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall architect Frank Gehry and TV writer-producer Norman Lear.
Others who signed the letter include Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner, film producers Lawrence Bender and Mike Medavoy, UTA agent Peter Benedek, WME agent Rick Rosen, Game of Thrones executive producer Carolyn Strauss, Matthew Velkes, COO of the Village Roadshow and TV director Daniel Attias.
"I just felt that some of the mainstream Jewish organizations weren't speaking on behalf of a large segment of the community that has a different point of view," Velkes told Abramovitch, adding that the city's Jewish population is "as diverse a community as one might imagine."
The ad even provides an email address -- LAJewishLeadersForIranDeal@gmail.com -- for "more information, resources and to express your support."
Abramovitch stated: “The letter is similar in message to one published on August 9 in the New York Times by 36 retired U.S. generals and admirals” and “another sent by 29 top American nuclear scientists and arms control experts to president Barack Obama.”
“The latter praised the deal as 'innovative' and 'stringent' in advancing the cause of peace in the Middle East, the reporter noted.
He continued:
Congress has until Sept. 17 to vote on a resolution of disapproval on the deal.
Should the naysayers win (a likelihood as Republicans control both chambers), Obama's ability to waive economic sanctions imposed on Iran -- a key deal point -- would be blocked, scuttling the agreement.
“Obama has pledged to veto such a resolution if it passes Congress,” Abramovitch stated.
“Among Israelis, opinion is heavily weighted toward those who oppose,” he continued.
“Recent polls conducted by Israel's Channel 10 found that 69 percent of Israeli citizens are against the deal” while “10 percent are in favor and 21 percent are undecided, according to the Haaretz website.
“The same poll found that opinion was split down the middle on Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's campaign against the deal,” the reporter said.
“Thirty-seven percent thought the leader -- who has vociferously opposed the measure -- has failed to adequately block its passage, while 34 percent feel he has done a good job,” Abramovitch continued.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., a CBS News poll conducted earlier this month found that 53 percent of respondents felt the agreement will not be effective in preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
But a Jewish Journal poll in July of American Jews found that 49 percent favored the deal despite misgivings while 31 percent opposed it.
For a full view of the advertisement and a complete list of those who signed the open letter, go to this website.
