Five weeks after the unveiling of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action — the Iran nuclear deal — the American Jewish community remains sharply divided on whether Congress should approve it.
Polls have shown mixed opinion, reflecting uncertainty about the best course of action. Those conducted by the L.A. Jewish Journal and J Street show a plurality of Jews supporting the deal. Other polls from the Israel Project and Quinnipiac show majorities opposing it.
All eyes are now on Congress, which votes next month; particular scrutiny is directed at the 28 Jewish legislators. As of midweek, nine were saying they would vote for the deal, seven were opposed and 12 remained undecided.
Similar divides are present in the organized Jewish world. A recent informal survey of Jewish federations across the country shows that not one is voicing support for the deal. Among those that have taken a position, most have either announced their opposition or, as in the case of the Bay Area federations, urged caution while remaining outside the fray.
On the flip side, the liberal Jewish organization Ameinu composed an open letter urging Congress to approve the deal. It was signed by nearly 350 rabbis from across the country, including 35 from Northern California.
This suggests that the Jewish community is not in lockstep on this crucial issue. The debate rages on. And it does rage.
Invective from both sides has reached appalling levels. President Obama has unfairly derided critics of the deal as hawks, holdovers from the George W. Bush Iraq war cabinet. Some have painted Jewish critics of the deal as doing the bidding of AIPAC, a repulsive echo of the “Jews control the government” canard. In one grand hissy fit, some on the Democratic left have ruled out Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York as a possible future Senate leader simply because he opposes the deal.
On the other side, some opponents of the deal have spewed hysterical criticism at Jews who support it, calling them traitors or anti-Israel. One radio talk-show host said Jews who support the deal would have Jewish blood on their hands.
We say categorically that intelligent people of good will, who love the State of Israel, can and do have opposing views on this agreement. There are valid arguments on both sides. Ad hominem attacks from either camp are ugly and counterproductive.
This deal is a big deal. Whether it is ultimately approved or not, words spoken now in anger could cause lingering discord at a time when we will have to come together to make sure Iran never gets a nuclear bomb, and that Israel and the United States are protected.