Pro-Israel Group 'Saddened' by Obama's Opposition to More Iranian Sanctions
A leader of a pro-Israel organization has expressed disapproval of President Barack Obama's statements at his State of the Union regarding the veto of new sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Christians United for Israel provided The Christian Post with comments from CUFI Exectuvie Director David Brog.
"I'm saddened that the president has declared his intention to oppose the will of a majority of the Senate and the House on Iran. His policy towards Iran isn't working and won't work," said Brog.
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"I fear history will judge him harshly. That's why we're launching an action alert to our 1.6 million members today asking them to demand that the Senate pass Iran sanctions despite the president's threats."
Brog also stated to CP that by refusing to accept new sanctions on Iran, "the President is endangering both Israel's security and our own with his naiveté on Iran."
"It is nothing short of pathetic that little Israel is now the West's last best hope," said Brog, who called the current international talks over Iran's nuclear program "a farce."
"Iran's mullahs want nuclear weapons. Towards this end they've spent a fortune and suffered economic crisis. Towards this end they've consistently violated international law," said Brog.
"And towards this end they've repeatedly played us at the diplomatic table. Anyone expecting Iran to suddenly abandon their nuclear ambitions is missing the forest for the trees."
On Tuesday evening, President Obama gave his State of the Union address before the United States Congress and millions of American families nationwide.
Obama covered several issues, domestic and foreign, including the negotiations with the Islamic Republic regarding its nuclear ambitions.
"The sanctions that we put in place helped make this opportunity possible. But let me be clear: if this Congress sends me a new sanctions bill now that threatens to derail these talks, I will veto it," said Obama.
"For the sake of our national security, we must give diplomacy a chance to succeed."
Obama added that should the Iranian government "not seize this opportunity, then I will be the first to call for more sanctions and stand ready to exercise all options to make sure Iran does not build a nuclear weapon."
"But if Iran's leaders do seize the chance - and we'll know soon enough - then Iran could take an important step to rejoin the community of nations, and we will have resolved one of the leading security challenges of our time without the risks of war," stated Obama.
There is currently a bill in the Senate that could revive sanctions against Iran. That bill would be expected the pass with the support of many Democrats, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has given no indication he will bring that bill up for a vote. According to The Hill, Reid is blocking the bill out of his allegience to Obama.
Should Iran develop a nuclear weapon, many believe that one of their potential targets with such weaponry will be the nation of Israel.
At present, a deal between Iran and multiple world powers to abandon nuclear weapons ambitions in exchange for a lightening of sanctions is expected to be hammered out next month, reported Reuters.
"Last week the United States and the European Union began following through on promised sanctions relief for Iran covering oil exports, trade in precious metals and automotive services as part of a nuclear agreement signed in November," wrote Louis Charbonneau and Justyna Pawlak of Reuters.
"In exchange for steps that Tehran had taken to halt its most sensitive nuclear-related activity, the White House said the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China and the European Union will 'follow through on our commitment to begin to provide the modest relief agreed to with Iran.'"
