As a member of the Jewish community and someone who has traveled to Israel, I am deeply concerned about making sure Israel is as safe as possible. Even Americans that do not identify with the Jewish community care about Israeli's safety because they are our greatest ally in the world's most turbulent region. As an American, as a Jew, and as a citizen of the world, I believe strongly in the recently agreed upon Iran Deal.
On 9/11, I was a 5th Grade Safety Patrol Captain at my elementary School. Now, 14 years later, I am a candidate for U.S. Congress that is happy to see we are finally almost out of our wars in the Middle East. This Iran Deal is an agreement that will promote long lasting peace. Here are three compelling reasons why this deal is good for the United States, Israel, and the world:
1. This deal is good for America because it keeps us out of another expensive, bloody, protracted war in the Middle East that we can't afford.
The United States is the greatest country in the world. There, I've said it. But, even the United States cannot afford another bankrupting war in the Middle East. We have tremendous issues that are fissuring our society whether it be income inequality, the #blacklivesmatter movement, Wall Street reform, crippling debt...the list goes on. As a society, we need to have an earnest conversation about how to fix these issues, and an expensive war would not only shift our gaze, it would make the problems worse.
Post-9/11, the military industrial complex that President Eisenhower warned us about has become out of control. Our spending on war is more than the next 20 countries combined. Unfortunately, much of that spending is wasted unnecessary production secured by shady lobbyists for defense contractors that care more about profit than America's future. The American government will always make its first priority keeping us safe, but we are safe. In fact, this deal that promotes peace over war makes us safer than any war could because it solves the dilemma amicably and doesn't radicalize even more people in the Middle East against America.
As a final note, I won't go as far to say that the Republicans in Congress are opposing this deal exclusively because President Obama is for it, but I will say that for many, that is a driving reason. The level of obstructionism that many Republican members of Congress have displayed towards President Obama over the last seven years has been both historic and incredibly disappointing. Some are savoring the opportunity to try and embarrass our President in front of the world. This is unacceptable.
2. This deal is good for Israel because the inspection rules are robust and it makes steps to improve diplomacy in a region that desperately needs it.
We have seen how effective our sanctions have been against Iran. They are desperate to get rid of them, so desperate that they have agreed to give up their efforts to have a nuclear bomb. That was our goal. That was Israel's goal. We have accomplished it. The inspections we have negotiated for are the strictest inspections we have ever achieved and they ensure that Iran will have no ability to hide secret production of nuclear material. If they do violate the deal, Israel and the United States can bring back the sanctions that have so crippled them or look at more aggressive actions at that point, but for both of our countries' sake, we need to believe in peace.
By finalizing this deal and supporting it, Israel and the United States continue to lead the international sanctions community. Other countries will continue to work with Israel and us when sanctions are needed. If this deal falls apart, that cooperation goes away and we are left with only one option: war. Most American Jews and Israelis support this deal because we understand that this is a move for peace and long-term security.
3. This deal is good for the world because, for what seems like the first time in years, a conflict is being settled with diplomacy rather than bloodshed.
Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan -- the world has seen enough bloodshed in this region. The United States has been a country that has spearheaded war, munitions production, private militaries, and invasions over the past decade and a half. Now, it is leading the efforts to push the world towards diplomacy, and this is a very good thing.
These reasons, as well as my trust in President Obama and Secretary Kerry, are enough for this Jewish American to wholeheartedly support the Iran deal.