CONGRESSMAN ALCEE HASTINGS SPEAKS ON IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL

By:  Rayel

August 6, 2015

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On August 5th, Congressman Alcee Hastings spoke before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), to express his opposition to the Iran Nuclear Deal and the reasons why.  Hosted by the Jewish Temple, Kol Ami Emanu-El, in Plantation, FL, the event sought to educate the receptive audience on contents of the deal, and share what they can do to encourage their legislators to stand the bill down.  "Preaching to the choir," as we would say, given Israel's proximity and difficult history with Iran, Congressman Hastings outlined 5 key points in the bill, that he, as well as AIPAC, found particularly unacceptable and vowed to fight.

Before addressing these points, I think a summary of what the deal is and where we currently are is in order.  In a nutshell, in July, Iran and a group of six nations led by the United States reached what has been dubbed an "historical" accord to significantly limit Tehran’s nuclear ability for more than a decade in return for lifting international oil and financial sanctions, which followed the Iranian Revolution in 1979.  A victory, for President Obama who won, in part, due to lingering ill feelings about the Iraq war.

Obama has asserted that the deal, which will give billions to Iraq, is the best way to avert war and prevent them from building a bomb, and that everyone in the world, except for Israel, is in favor of it.  The critics disagree.  Next month, Congress will vote for or against it.

The 5 Key points at issue are:

1.  Inspections & Verifications.  According to Congressman Hastings, who spoke with the deal in hand, not only are there no "anytime, anywhere" inspections allowed in the deal, but Iran must be given 24 days notice before inspections and of the 150 inspectors, NO AMERICAN OR CANADIAN Scientists will be appointed.  Furthermore, the inspectors will be blindfolded and taken to the inspection sites so they have no knowledge of where they are being taken.

2.  Possible Military Dimensions.  The oversight agency, The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has not made public its' information sharing agreement with Iran, so no specific consequences are outlined should Iran violate the agreement.

3.  Sanctions.  The sanction relief is immediate rather than gradual.  The estimate is that Iran will receive $50 to $150 Billion dollars, in full, after just 6 months of perceived compliance.  Plus, the U.S. has pledged another $20 Billion in investments in Iran, so the entire amount given to Iran could be as much as $200 Billion.

4.  Duration.  Key restrictions on Iran's nuclear capability are lifted after just 8 years, and almost all restrictions after 15 years.  In 5 years, they can buy/sell any kind of weapon.  And, in 10 years, they can make more centrifuges.

5.  Dismantlement.  According to Congressman Hastings, Iran's current, extensive nuclear infrastructure is left intact.  It alters Iran's plans for the Arak heavy water reactor, but requires no dismantlement of any present centrifuges or any Iranian nuclear facility.

Proponents of the deal ask “What’s the difference?”  The U.S. has long sent over a million dollars a day to Israel, who are widely believed to have nuclear weapons.  They argue it would be ridiculous for either Iran or Israel to use them since they are neighbors.

Others point out that the money we are "giving" them is actually the money we TOOK from them back in the 1980's under the reign of The Ayatollah Khomeini.  They ask, how could we put stringent stipulations on the RETURN of money that was theirs in the first place?

Still, the concerns prevail.

After a Q&A, Rabbi Howard Needleman closed the meeting by challenging the audience to "give it everything you've got to kill this deal.   For the next 44 days (when Congress votes), call your members of Congress.  It's your responsibility to your kids and your grandkids... and to yourself."  When asked what happens if Congress rejects, he explained that The President can veto Congress’ vote and the funds, held in an “Executive Order bank” overseas, will be disbursed to Iran anyway, even in the event of a Congress override.  “Then,” he said simply, “It is what it is”.