The debate over the Iran nuclear deal has begun in the Jewish community and everywhere else.
There are weighty matters to consider, but I find myself not terribly ambivalent.
Of course you and I could devise terms we would vastly prefer, but I believe the positives of yesterday’s agreement far outweigh the negatives.
In an ideal world, Iran would dismantle its nuclear program altogether and become a responsible player in the Middle East immediately. Those sentiments, however, would never have reached the negotiating table.
Israel’s biggest existential fear for many years has been the imminent nuclear threat posed by Iran. Now, with verified compliance, Iran’s program has been defanged for 10-15 years. That is a veritable lifetime in this volatile region. Just a few years ago, Saudi Arabia was viewed as a state-sponsoring supporter of terrorism including Al Qaeda. Today, both the United States and Israel view Saudi Arabia as a responsible partner in that same fight.
Trust me, I have no illusions that Iran will curb its virulent anti-Semitism or hatred of Israel. But I do believe that this agreement further opens the path for Iran’s leaders to focus their energies on building a viable economic and social structure and less time supporting Shiite aggression. Will Iran at last become a sane political actor? The responsible world should encourage such a dramatic shift. This agreement is a step in that direction.
I was encouraged by the cooperation shared particularly among Russia, China, and the United States. It speaks to the possibility of other significant acts of international solidarity. Could this agreement possibly encourage efforts to address the humanitarian and political tragedy in Syria, lessen the threat of Hamas, Hezbollah and ISIS? Could this international solidarity lead to China helping the world control North Korea? We will not know the answer for a while, but today there are more grounds for optimism than we ever dared hope.
Finally, for those who feel yesterday’s accord is inadequate, just think what would happen in the absence of agreement. All of Iran would be united in their determination to become a nuclear power now and aim those nuclear missiles at Tel Aviv. The threat to Israel, the region and us would increase exponentially. The pressure to respond militarily to Iran would grow daily.
Let us support momentum that moves in the opposite direction.
Let us pray, dream and work for the day when, in the words of the Prophet Isaiah, “Nations shall not lift up swords against nations; neither shall they study war anymore.”
