April 9, 2015 – Progressive groups are mobilizing in opposition to a bill that would threaten the tenuous diplomatic process underway to limit Iran’s nuclear program. The bill, S. 615 Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, sponsored by Republican Senator Bob Corker, would give Congress review power over the any final agreement with Iran. As it currently stands, the bill would undermine the ongoing negotiations, and move the US closer towards the possibility of war with Iran. Jewish Voice for Peace joins the National Iranian American Council, Move On, Credo Action, Just Foreign Policy and many other progressive groups in calling for Senators to reject the bill.
Some Congressional Democrats are pushing back against specific provisions in order to weaken the bill’s ability to stymie negotiations with Iran. But, with the support from Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer, the bill could gain a veto-proof majority. Jewish Voice for Peace supporters around the country are calling their Senators to encourage them to let diplomacy work.
Opposition to an agreement with Iran has been lead by national security hawks and pro-Israel interests:
“Israel and AIPAC’s shared interest in ensuring unconditional support for Israeli military dominance in the name of security is reflected in their efforts to inflame fear of Iran’s nuclear program, despite the fact that Israel has quietly maintained a large cache of nuclear weapons for decades without admitting it or signing treaties.” said Rebecca Vilkomerson, Executive Director of Jewish Voice for Peace. “We support diplomacy to achieve a nuclear free Middle East, and that includes Israel as well as Iran.”
Israeli leadership and the American Israel Political Action Committee (AIPAC) have doubled-down on their opposition to any deal with Iran. After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s much publicized speech toCongress in March, he also appeared on talk shows in the US in a media blitz on Sunday April 5th to criticize the deal and Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon authored a piece in the Washington Post April 8th to oppose the deal.
By funneling millions in campaign donations, AIPAC has spent years building a bipartisan consensus in Congressfor Israeli policies of endless occupation, war and dispossession. There have been signs that the bipartisan consensus may be cracking as nearly 60 Democrats boycotted Netanyahu’s recent speech to Congress, tensions with the White House are at an all time high, and polls show that support for Israeli policies are slipping among Democrats. This moment is a test for progressives to speak up in support for diplomacy and peace.
Help us Prepare for Trump’s Day One
Trump is busy getting ready for Day One of his presidency – but so is Truthout.
Trump has made it no secret that he is planning a demolition-style attack on both specific communities and democracy as a whole, beginning on his first day in office. With over 25 executive orders and directives queued up for January 20, he’s promised to “launch the largest deportation program in American history,” roll back anti-discrimination protections for transgender students, and implement a “drill, drill, drill” approach to ramp up oil and gas extraction.
Organizations like Truthout are also being threatened by legislation like HR 9495, the “nonprofit killer bill” that would allow the Treasury Secretary to declare any nonprofit a “terrorist-supporting organization” and strip its tax-exempt status without due process. Progressive media like Truthout that has courageously focused on reporting on Israel’s genocide in Gaza are in the bill’s crosshairs.
As journalists, we have a responsibility to look at hard realities and communicate them to you. We hope that you, like us, can use this information to prepare for what’s to come.
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In addition to covering the widespread onslaught of draconian policy, we’re shoring up our resources for what might come next for progressive media: bad-faith lawsuits from far-right ghouls, legislation that seeks to strip us of our ability to receive tax-deductible donations, and further throttling of our reach on social media platforms owned by Trump’s sycophants.
We’re preparing right now for Trump’s Day One: building a brave coalition of movement media; reaching out to the activists, academics, and thinkers we trust to shine a light on the inner workings of authoritarianism; and planning to use journalism as a tool to equip movements to protect the people, lands, and principles most vulnerable to Trump’s destruction.
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Today, we’re asking all of our readers to start a monthly donation or make a one-time donation – as a commitment to stand with us on day one of Trump’s presidency, and every day after that, as we produce journalism that combats authoritarianism, censorship, injustice, and misinformation. You’re an essential part of our future – please join the movement by making a tax-deductible donation today.
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