Iran deal does NY: With many Jews and Schumer, interest high

The July 14 announcement of a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers has drawn much public criticism, praise, and punditry and will continue to do so over the course of the ongoing 60-day period for Congress to review the agreement.

That issue is arguably most pressing in the New York metropolitan area, home to more Jews than any region of its kind nationwide, with a Jewish senator — Chuck Schumer — viewed as pivitol to Senate action. Not surprisingly, then, the Big Apple has been the epicenter of both education and advocacy, including events ranging from discussions to protests, in the weeks since the Iran deal was reached. 

“Our government is on the verge of making a terrible mistake,” said Josh Block—president and CEO of The Israel Project (TIP), an organization whose stated mission is “informing the media and public conversation about Israel and the Middle East”—during an educational event hosted at New York’s Lincoln Square Synagogue on June 21.

Before Block’s address listed the weaknesses and shortcomings of the Iran deal, a leaflet distributed to attendees by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) listed six consequences of a bad deal with Iran, adding that “Congress must oppose the proposed deal.” According to the leaflet, the deal signed this month in Vienna will: legitimize Iran as a nuclear threshold state; raise the prospect of war; spur a nuclear arms race; increase Iranian support of terrorism; strengthen the Iranian regime; and undermine and threaten regional allies.